War-Game Your Health

War-Game Your Health

War-gaming is a technique used to visualize the battlefield before going to battle. Several courses of action are then developed and played through to the end to assess what the probable outcome would be. This allows the commander and his staff to further refine a course or courses of action which are all focused on accomplishing the mission. Not a shot has been fired, and there is no risk, since this is really a mental exercise designed to maximize success and minimize loss of life and casualties. This war-gaming technique can be applied to all life decisions and that is why you will apply it here.
Now, I want you to war-game your health. Put on your commander’s hat and take charge. You will now develop courses of action. Excuses have no place in the analysis of a battle, whether it’s a battle for better health or on the battlefield where the danger of dying or becoming a casualty is very high. Treat this analysis of your health the same way. Remember, I don’t associate health with “health” insurance or visiting the doctor. I associate good health with a healthy lifestyle. As you are reading this, it may very well be happening that those snipers in the form of excuses, justifications, or even fear of some sort of change begin to surround you and take aim on your resolve. Cease fire! Fight them back! They are the enemy. They are not your friend.

The 12 Warning Signs Of Health

Before we get down and dirty with the war-gaming briefing and assessment, I’d like to share with you something very inspiring that has been passed around in cyberspace. The author is unknown. The message is priceless.

They are called the twelve warning signs of health:
1. Persistent presence of support network.
2. Chronic positive expectations; tendency to frame events in a constructive light.
3. Episodic peak experience.
4. Sense of spiritual involvement.
5. Increased sensitivity.
6. Tendency to adapt to changing conditions.
7. Rapid response and recovery of adrenaline system due to repeated challenges.
8. Increased appetite for physical activity.
9. Tendency to identify and communicate feelings.
10.Repeated episodes of gratitude, generosity or related emotions.
11.Compulsion to contribute to society.
12.Persistent sense of humor.

Source: unknown

Embrace and experience these warning signs of health and amazing things will happen to you.

“Always behave like a duck - keep calm and unruffled on the surface, but paddle like the devil underneath.”
Lord Barbizon

Take The Health/Lifestyle Assessment Test

Now it’s time to do some health war-gaming. Here’s a quick and simple test, which is focused on just a few of the many benchmarks of a healthy lifestyle. Answer the questions with yes or no. Your mission is to gradually but steadily move in the direction of the maximum score. Some of these points relate to our society and prevalence of inactivity, junk food and oversized portions and overabundance of processed foods.

Colonel Bob's Health/Lifestyle Test

1. Do you exercise at least five hours per week? 1=yes 0=no
2. Do you eat a balanced diet predominantly made up of plant-based foods that are unprocessed or minimally processed (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans)? 1=yes 0=no

3. Do you eat fried foods? 0=yes 1=no
4. Do you eat meat or other animal products more than once a day? 0=yes 1=no
5. Do you regularly eat dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt)? 0=yes 1=no
6. Do you drink water as your beverage of choice? 1=yes 0=no
7. Do you smoke? 0=yes 1=no
8. Do you drink alcohol regularly? 0=yes 1=no
9. Do you regularly spend at least 10 to 15 minutes a day of quiet time? 1=yes 0=no
10. Do you take medication, prescription or non-prescription, on a regular basis? 0=yes 1=no
11. Do you take drugs? 0=yes 1=no
12. Do you get at least six to eight hours of sleep a night? 1=yes 0=no
13. Do you spend the day thinking mostly positive thoughts? 1=yes 0=no
14. Do you work on improving your character regularly? 1=yes 0=no
15. Do you, as a rule, complain about something on a daily basis? 0=yes 1=no
16. Do you regularly worry about something? 0=yes 1=no
17. Do you take a multi-vitamin supplement? 1=yes 0=no
18. Do you take in more food and beverage than you need on a regular basis? 0=yes 1=no
19. Do you use any of these words frequently, on a daily basis? Angry, frustrated, stressed, bothers me, but, can’t, don’t have the time. 0=yes 1=no
20. Do you hold a grudge against anyone (family member, business associate, friend, boss, enemy, acquaintance)? 0=yes 1=no
21. Do you volunteer to help those who are less fortunate than you? 1=yes 0=no

Add up your lifestyle score. If you scored 21 points, you maxed the test and lead a very healthy lifestyle. Reward yourself with twenty push-ups! If, on the other had, you score less than 21 points, that is a no-go, and you need to work on maxing the test. Be very aware of self-deception. The greatest lie we tell is the one we tell ourselves.