Here’s some common sentiments spoken in the health and wellness arena.
- It’s complicated to know what to do.
- There is so much confusion around nutrition.
- My doctor says one thing but I see results with something else.
- It’s hard to know what is “right” when it comes to health endeavors.
- I hear something different every day on what to do to be healthy.
I get it, trying to find your own path can be challenging. Let’s break some of these points down and see if at the same time we can “turn down the noise.”
Anytime one embarks on making a change be it work related, or health orientated taking stock of where you are is a great launching pad. Is what you’re currently doing working? Do you have energy, feel good and are you in a place of sustainability?
In conjunction with the starting spot recognition, is WHY do you want to do it. Example, why do you want to be healthy? For your kids, grandkids, loved ones? Because you just want to feel better? Or because you need to improve your metabolic health in order to be active? Know your “why” and tap into it regularly.
Old school ways to “connect to your why.”
- Place pictures and mementos of those who are important to you in prominent spots
- Have a support team, coach, therapist, accountability buddy or other
- Build a community that positively supports your goals; support group, church group, social media group and BE active with them
- Stay curious (as Nick Nortwitz, PhD says!) explore podcasts, interviews, articles and attend meetings to build comradery
On a bigger scale, its’ OK to question what mainstream media is pushing. Dare to think different. Look around in any public setting and see are people thriving? Short answer No. Long answer No.
A few grim statistics (not perfect) to paint the general picture.
- One in three women and one in five men over age 50 have osteoporosis
- Heart disease remains number 1 cause of death in US
- Only 12% of Americans have good metabolic health,
- Life expectancy continues to decline in US now down to 76.
- The rates of diabetes are mind-boggling.
- 11.6% adults diagnosed with diabetes’ and 22.8% undiagnosed.
- 38% adults are pre-diabetic and even greater age 65 above at 48.8%.
OK, take a breath and realize, there is so much you can do. You do not need to be another statistic. That said, if “the system” which creates the noise was really working we would not be in the current situation.
Back to the question how to turn down the noise in 5 basic steps.
- Assess where you are and what you specifically want to focus on.
- Know your why and make it a guiding principle.
- Find the team members who can support you with Number 1.
- Work with your team for a given amount of time, then reassess.
- Remain curious, creative and learn to listen to what your body responds well to!
At the end of the day health choices should be based on performance. What makes you perform well and moreover consistently. Every day offers a new opportunity to work on building your performance in life to a new level.
“We learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same. One becomes in some area an athlete of God.”
~Martha Graham
