I have lived more years then I care to think about but thankfully they have all been healthy years. Now this didn't happen because I have 'good genes' (I don't) or because I got lucky and beat the odds (no such luck), no this happened because I wanted to be healthy so I worked toward that end.

Now you might ask; who doesn't want to be healthy? Well my friend all you need to do is sit at the mall for 30 minutes on any given Saturday and observe the people walking by and you'll get your answer. Evidently very few! Obesity is rampant with all it's related diseases, hospital emergency visits are skyrocketing and disease ridden people flock to the pharmacy in record numbers to stock up on drugs that do nothing to improve their health.

We as a willing society have been duped into health complacency. What I mean by that is individually and collectively we have a herd mentality believing the TV adds and nightly news and the hoards of so called experts telling us what is and isn't good for our health.

We have relinquished our good common sense and the God given healing attributes of the human body. Instead we dutifully get our shots, vaccinations, prescription drugs and bad advice simply because we are told to. Few of us take the time and effort to educate ourselves concerning health issues.

Our health is the singly most important issue facing every human being and yet we act as if it is vogue to be fat and out of shape. We wear our health ineptness with a badge of honour. Paradoxically everyone will tell you if asked 'I want to be healthy'. So with that assumption in place let me explain a common sense approach to maintaining a healthy life for all your life.

First and foremost you must start thinking for yourself. Question the authorities that put demands on you, not irreverently but with inquisitiveness. Get the answers you need to make your own health decisions.

Decisions must always be made on the basis of your health not what anyone else is doing.

Unless your very serious about being healthy for the rest of your life and willing to do what it takes to succeed you most assuredly won't. Being completely healthy requires living a lifestyle that is conducive to good health. This isn't some infomercial to living healthy in 4 easy steps for only $29.99+ shipping and handling. This will have to be a lifetime commitment devoted to staying healthy.

When I say healthy I mean free of disease and debilitating conditions not the common cold (although you won't get many) or the occasional bug that is going around. Although I must say if your immune system is where it should be even the common flu will have a really hard time infecting you. When you do get sick it will be for a very short time with NO after affects.

It has been nearly 40 years since I visited a doctor and that was for a sore throat. (bad idea)

I have had the flu a few times and a occasional headache but beyond that nothing. My wife is the same way with no health issues. Decidedly I started living my healthy lifestyle as a young adult and never swayed from the path. I firmly believe anyone at any age can benefit from a positive lifestyle change.

The objective is clear and concise; Live Long and Live Healthy.

Some of the things I will list here your going to hate and will immediately stop reading, well at least I got you thinking for yourself. For the rest of you please bear in mind I'm no doctor or medical expert just a person who has lived a relative long life and who has walked the walk and talked the talk. Some things are seemingly simplistic, they aren't.

1. Personal fortitude with a savage attitude that I am worth the effort to succeed.

2. Never ever succumb to age, treat your body the same at 50 as you would at 30 and it will respond if properly conditioned. (side note): I climb trees, do running sprints, jump off high places all the stuff I did as kid, I never stopped so the body responds.

3. Demand the best for your body don't settle for anything less. Don't put anything in or on your body that you wouldn't want your children to do.

4. The food police will tell you what or what not to eat but I will tell you this, if you eat any food in moderation with abundant variety you will be the better for it. Specifically I eat my share of meat, potatoes, vegetables, fruits and plenty of dessert. Everything is in moderation with all the meat not fried but cooked another way and all vegetables and fruits free of pesticides and chemicals. Eat moderate portions at each meal disciplining yourself not to overeat. Remember we eat to sustain our bodies ability to function properly and for most of us we don't need much food. I think eating has been made into some grand event where we must eat as much as we can at every sitting. Enjoy your meal but remember you eat because it is a necessity.

5. Drink clean water with absolutely no chemical additives and drink a lot of water.

6. Avoid eating a lot of sugar and use salt in moderation.

7. Packaged food contains preservatives and dyes which are un-natural to the human body.

8. Wash (scrub) fruits and vegetables before eating unless they are organic they will be loaded with chemicals.

9. Frying food is a no no because of cancer causing carcinogens.

10. The overall principal I live with concerning what I put in my body is quite simple,

If it has a man made substance in it such as preservatives o r dyes or any of those long scientific names that are impossible to pronounce then I'm pretty sure I don't want to eat it.

11. Exercise is good but don't over do it moderation applies here. I have found cross country walking is a lot of fun and a great exercise for the whole body. Also walking my two golden retriever pups keeps me bouncing up and down. The key here is to stay active EVERYDAY remember this is a life style.

If your able to do outdoor physical work like lawn mowing that is a real plus, enjoy the great outdoors and reap the healthful benefits at the same time.

12. Love life and laugh much and often. Surround yourself with loving family and friends.

13. Stress is a killer so it is vitally important to avoid stressful situations. I firmly believe stress is the number one health concern in our society. Stress places a tremendous burden on our immune system to protect us from disease and with a weakened immune system the door is left wide open for all sorts of health problems.

14. Supplement with all natural supplements.

15. Lastly or perhaps firstly, stand firm in your personal faith.

Now what I have said is all relevant to staying healthy all your life however it would be a hollow existence if I weren't married to my soul mate and totally committed to our marriage. When you can share your life with the person you love life's burdens melt away and happiness is easy to find.

Gary Kenneth Archer is a natural health advocate dedicated to the naturalist lifestyle, and a frequent contributor to Natural Supplements.