We all know that living healthy is what we should do, but, for
most of us, it is just so hard to make it a long-term, lifestyle. So how
do we do it? Why does it seem so easy for some people, while the great
majority of Americans, just can't seem to either get on-board or stay
on-board with a way of living that benefits everyone?
First we
need to look at what it means to be 'healthy.' It doesn't mean being
skinny. It doesn't mean participating in the endless food fads, popular
diets, newest workouts, or any other fleeting thing. It does mean making
good decisions when it comes to eating, physical activity, and even
things like going to the doctor or dentist. Being healthy can mean
feeling good. Having energy. Not being sick! It is also a matter of
caring for yourself, and your family, in a way that allows you to
participate in life without suffering the ramifications of 'bad' health
decisions that you make or made. Being healthy is both long term and
short-term actions. Being healthy benefits the individual and the whole
community.
People who are healthy are, in general, happier. It is a
great burden to deal with the effects of things like illness, obesity,
even being tired all the time. Community groups that consist of mostly
healthy individuals are happier and able to focus their resources (time,
money, problem solving, creativity) on things other than trying to care
for the members of the group who are unhealthy. According to
healthycommunitieshealthyfuture.org, a function of the National League
of Cities, which exists to help build healthier communities in the
United States, "The estimated annual health care costs of
obesity-related illness are a staggering $190.2 billion or nearly 21% of
annual medical spending in the United States. Childhood obesity alone
is responsible for $14 billion in direct medical costs." Just think what
we as a country could do with all that money!!
That should
motivate our whole country to action!! We all know the facts, so its
going to take more than that to motivate us to live consistently healthy
lives. Considering the implications our own unhealthiness has on others
should, however, help us move toward the goal of healthy living.
Knowing
that the facts aren't enough to keep us motivated, what is ENOUGH? The
first step in getting and staying motivated has to be a realization that
something does need to change. But where do you need to make changes.
Identify where and why you need to be healthy. Do you need to lose
weight, eat healthier, exercise more, get your teeth cleaned or get your
annual checkup done? After you have identified where the changes need
to be made, you need to decide what your goals are. In order to stay
motivated realistic goals need to be set. Don't set yourself up for
failure, it is impossible to stay motivated in the face of impossible
tasks and constant failure. If you want to lose weight, determine how
much and how long it will take you to reach a healthy weight. For most
people losing three pounds a week is a realistic and healthy goal.
Wanting to look like a Victoria Secret model or Captain America is not
very realistic. Expectations that are too lofty often lead people to
lose motivation more quickly. If you want to start eating healthier
you'll have to work new healthy habits into shopping, cooking, and
dining out. It is probably less attainable to decide one day that you
are only going to eat vegan, organic foods. Set realistic goals!!
Another
key to motivation is finding people to support you. There are people
everywhere who are trying to live healthier. Find them and walk with
them on your journey, you will motivate each other! Remember, though,
that your life and how you get healthy are not the same as anyone
else's, so don't compare your life to theirs! Using someone else as your
benchmark for success is not going to give you sustained motivation.
Many
people who are successful at living healthy use visual aides to keep
them motivated. Hang the jeans you want to fit into on the outside of
your closet, where you can always see them. Use a dry erase marker to
right motivational phrases or your goals on your bathroom mirror. On
your kitchen cabinets post your goal weight, or reminders of how you
want to feel, to help guide how you eat.
Above all BE POSITIVE.
Focus on what you have achieved, not matter how small it seems. Remember
how you felt eating unhealthy food, and how you have a little more
energy now. Tell yourself that you are worth the effort, and your family
needs you to keep living healthy. Think of the things that living
healthy will allow you to do. You can be more active, live more life,
live a longer life, spend your future time and money on fun stuff! And,
it may seem cheesy, but talk to yourself. If you ever watch highly
successful athletes, you can see them getting themselves ready for the
competition. They tell themselves they can do it, and beat their chests.
Yell, cheer, jump around. This is a fight worth fighting, get excited
and stay MOTIVATED!!
