The Blueprint By Neil and Ginny Schaadt owners of  The Body Building

10 essential health tips
(The basics to practice every day) 

"He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything." -Arabian Proverb

    1. Move More
    Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more…Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!
    2. Keep an Eye on the Fat
    Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Mayonnaise, margarine and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Reach for the good, natural fats including nuts, butter, avocados and olive oil. Think lean, mean, fat-burning machine…. Then be one!
    3. Quit Smoking 
    The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Give up just one cigarette…then the next and the next…
    4. Reduce Stress 
    Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some recommended techniques are to think positive thoughts and exercise. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. You might try activities including aerobic exercise, lifting weights, yoga, Pilates, a walk in the park; playing with the kids or your dog. 
    5. Protect Yourself from Pollution 
    If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside wearing sunscreen of 30spf or higher. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It's a good pollution deterrent.

    6. Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables

    Your mom was right…we all need to learn to like fruits and veggies.  They not only keep our insides working adequately, they also make our skin beautiful and keep us young and healthy.  When available choose fresh…now is the perfect time to try a few new items while most are in season.  Throw a fresh peach in your breakfast smoothie or top your cereal with a few strawberries.  Cut up several varieties and enjoy a sweet and satisfying dessert tonight.
    7. Floss Your Teeth
    Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it's because people who floss tend to be more health conscious than people who don't?
    8. Avoid Excessive Drinking 
    While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. In other words…a bottle of wine should last more than one day.
    9. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook 
    There's a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life. Think about it…you can't be unhappy when you're smiling or singing. 
    10. Choose Your Parents Well 
    The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. But just because one or both of your parents died young in ill health doesn't mean you cannot counteract the genetic pool handed you. Follow these basic tips for healthy living and you can better control your own destiny.

With a passion for fitness and the desire to build a healthier community, Neil and Ginny Schaadt decided to turn their hobby into a profession and opened The Body Building fitness center in January 2006.  Their motto is "We Build Healthy Bodies One by One," and they strive to meet this goal by offering personal attention to each and every member of their club.   They invite everyone to stop by the facility located at 220 Fox Road, Van Wert or check out the website at www.tbbonline.com.