During a health awareness event that was held on Aug. 15 and sponsored by the Joliet Jaguar Fitness Club and Heals, students were honored to have guest speaker Charles Murray, an exercise physiologist who also is a wellness coach and a certified yoga instructor at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, Ill.

Mr. Murray explained the importance of maintaining healthy eating habits and overall health maintenance while also outlining the concept of mind-body control.

Focusing on his heritage as a native of Baton Rouge, La., Mr. Murray described his early childhood and his fascination with food. He spoke of being diagnosed at a very early age with high blood pressure, a leading cause of heart disease and other serious ailments.

Determined to overcome this growing epidemic, Mr. Murray continued to pursue his passion for fitness education and pushing lim-its on a daily basis. He firmly believes in changing lives and creating a positive, enriching environment for all.

During the event, brochures were distributed detailing seven ways to jump start your life.

Here are a few of Mr. Murray’s tips:

 Control cravings. Bring small bags of unsalted nuts and dried fruit for when hunger strikes.

 Have a sweet tooth? Eat just a few small pieces of candy and no more. Make sure to savor the taste.

 Don’t avoid favorite foods. Eat them in small portions instead.

 Lace up those sneakers! Get out and walk, even if it is just 10 minutes in the morning and 10 more in the evening.

 Plan. Develop a written strategy for incorporating exercise and healthy eating into each day.

 Stock the kitchen with healthy choices. Having nutritious foods readily available makes it easier to work them into a diet.