Life doesn't seem fair, writes Pete Richards.
Some people seem to win the genetic lottery.
They can eat what they like, never exercise, and still live to a ripe old age.
Others appear to do everything right and still develop health problems.
There is undoubtedly an element of luck when it comes to health.
Genetics plays a role.
Accidents happen.
Diseases occur.
It is easy to think that we have no control over our future.
But whilst we cannot eliminate bad luck, we can dramatically improve our odds.
Imagine your health is a lottery.
If you buy one ticket, you might get lucky.
If you buy a thousand tickets, your chances improve enormously.
You still aren't guaranteed to win, but you have stacked the odds heavily in your favour.
Exercise, good nutrition, adequate sleep and maintaining a healthy weight are like buying extra tickets in the health lottery.
Take exercise as an example.
Research consistently shows that active people are less likely to develop heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, dementia and many other chronic conditions.
They are also less likely to become frail as they age.
Exercise doesn't guarantee you won't get any of these conditions, but it significantly improves your chances.
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Strength training buys tickets, too.
Strong muscles help protect your bones, improve balance and reduce the risk of falls.
They help you stay independent for longer and make everyday life easier.
Sleep is another ticket.
Poor sleep is linked to obesity, cardiovascular disease and dementia.
Yet improving sleep often costs nothing more than changing a few habits.
Even social interaction appears to buy tickets.
People with strong social connections tend to live longer and enjoy better physical and mental health than those who are isolated.
The wonderful thing is that these habits do not just add years to your life; they improve the quality of those years.
After all, you do not simply want to live longer; you want to remain active, capable and independent.
Of course, none of this is a guarantee.
Some people do everything right and still become ill.
Some people do very little and somehow make it to 100.
There is no certainty, but you can give yourself the best possible chance.
Every walk, every strength training session, every healthy meal and every good night's sleep is another ticket in the draw.
You cannot control the outcome, but you can certainly improve your odds.
If you would like more information about how I can help you get fitter, stronger, and healthier, then visit coachpete.co.uk.
