What to Do for a Healthy and Better YOU!

Torchlight Tips:  Good Guidance for All!

By Audrey Muhammad

Would you like to have a healthier and more joyful life?  Did you know there were 8 great tips that a man of God gave us several years ago that will absolutely help us have a healthier and happier existence.  In 1993, The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan wrote, A Torchlight for America, a monumental book that gave guidance on Education, Relationship and the economy of America.  It also gave a list of some of the best tips for health and fitness that I have ever seen.  (The book may be ordered at www.store.finalcall.com)

Most of the tips on eating were based on the book How to Eat to Live, which explains how eatng the pig/pork “destroys the beauty of the body’s appearance.” In his “preventive care guidelines,” Minister Farrakhan gives 8 “steps on pages 145-148 of Torchlight for America. (Note:  His words are in quotation marks at the beginning each numbered item below).

1. “First, you must pray.  You must let the Author of all existence into your life…it’s prayer that feeds and strengthens your desire, and desire feeds the will”(145).  We often pray for the car or house we want, but do we pray for the healthy body we desire.  Or do we see it as a ‘lost cause’ or ‘this is just the way I am.’  God will help give us the determination.  I recently tried a Crossfit Workout which incorporates using heavy weights for deadlifts, squats and muscle ups.  I was not sure how I was going to get through the workout, but I found myself asking Allah for strength.  It wasn’t that I couldn’t do the workout, I didn’t initially BELIEVE I could.  It felt GREAT afterwards.  Allah(God) says in Surah 40-60, “Pray to me, I will answer you.”  PRAY.
2. “Second, you must imbue yourself with knowledge.  You need knowledge.  You must not take pride in what you think you already know” (145).  Along with reading new books and magazines on fitness, I am re-reading How to Eat to Live Book I.  I am finding so many “jewels” of wisdom and guidance that I didn’t recognize before.  Also, one of the BEST nutrition books out there is the MGT’s new How to Cook book.  It is a WONDERFUL resource.  (Student Captain Sister Sandy and her staff are doing a wonderful job).  Knowledge of foods is a wonderful motivator to eat or stop eating a certain food.
3. “Third, strive to eat to live instead of eating inordinately and improperly in an attempt to deal with stress or to entertain yourself”(146).   One book I read years ago, the author described overeating as “an act of violence” upon yourself.  Wow…think about that…stuffing yourself….making yourself so full you are uncomfortable and even in PAIN.   That’s deep.  Treat yourself and your body with, as The Honorable Elijah Muhammad says, “The best food money can buy.”
4. “Fourth, we must exercise….At a minimum, walking a few miles each day is one of the best forms of exercise”(147).  Walking is an easy, low impact exercise that anyone can do almost anywhere.  It is also a wonderful mood uplifter and stress reducer along with dancing, aerobics, swimming and other forms of exercise.
5. “Fifth, get rid of your addictions.  That is drugs, alcohol, smoking and extra-marital sex.  In Islam, the religion of submission to the will of God, fasting is prescribed as a way to cleanse the body, but also as a means of fortifying the will…So try fasting as a way to build your will so that you can rid yourself of addictions before your addictions rid the Earth of you”(147).  I am currently working on reducing the sugar in my diet.  Sugar is very additive, is high in calories and weakens the immune system.  I feel a lot better when I am not consuming sugary drinks and food daily.  My energy and spirit is wonderful and I am a lot “sweeter” when I am “sugar-free.  (Smile.)
6. “Sixth, get proper rest and relaxation.  Allow your body time to recuperate from the emotional stress and physical exertion of the day, and to re-energize itself to meet the challenges of the next day.  Relax yourself by breaking your daily routine with some joyful activity that frees your mind of life’s stresses and strains”(147).  What are some ways to relax?  Not getting on Facebook or gossiping on the phone, but enjoying knitting, playing golf or reading a good book in the sun, which leads to the next suggestion that the Minister gives which is to get some sun.
7. “Seventh, you should spend a little time in the sun and communing with nature.  Too much sun is not good for you.  But limited exposure to the sun is good for the body…it emits vitamin-filled rays that are absorbed through the skin, helping the body to defend itself against disease”(148).  It is a wonderful feeling to have “sun-kissed” skin and have the sun gently warm your spirit and help you obtain Vitamin D.
8. “Eighth, and finally, you should make sure that your and your family get regular dental and physical checkups….You may feel that these simple guidelines for healthful living are too restricting and don’t leave you free to enjoy life”(148).  Think how restricting life would be if we had a life-threatening disease we could have prevented

The Minister has said before that “there’s nothing more powerful than a made-up mind.”  So, make up your mind to get healthier and happier today.  We can do it!  May Allah bless us all with peace, health, wealth, love and happiness.

Get Fit Tip:  Replace juices and sugary drinks with water.

(Audrey Muhammad is a fitness instructor, educator and author of the book, Get Fit to Live:  Be your best you! To order her book and get a free CD, send a $15 money order to Get Fit To Live, P.O. Box 61402, Raleigh, NC 27661.)