Start Your Healthy Living Plan Today!

by David Junno Psy.D.

When faced with needing to start eating a better diet or exercising, many of us say- "I'll start tomorrow". The trouble is that there is always another tomorrow. The result is we never make the changes that we need to make.


Three reasons to start right now

1. There is no tomorrow when it comes to action. Nothing happens in the past it is already done. Nothing happens in the future, that is yet to be decided. The only time something occurs is in the present. This moment, right now, is the only time we have to do something in our lives. Fortunately there is an abundance of the present, the question is whether we use it or not.

2. We will immediately get in touch with the things we are going to need to address to make our plan successful. In the abstract it may feel like no big deal to exercise more, or eat smaller portions. When we actually do these things, we quickly encounter the obstacles that hold us back. The good news is that this tells us exactly what we need to prepare for. We are no longer struggling with all of the potential obstacles, we have instead narrowed it down to the specific obstacles we need to deal with.

3. We find out what we actually can do. Nothing gets rid of doubts and fears better than doing the thing we have doubts and fears about. The only way we can find out what we can do is by doing it. We might find that taking that walk before lunch, having a fruit for a snack or not having those doughnuts next to the coffee machine at work, really wasn't that hard after all. Plus, we discover the rewards and benefits. We feel refreshed after the walk, we discover we really like fruit and it does satisfy our desire for something sweet, or we get to feel good about ourselves for not eating something we really didn't need. Experiencing the rewards and benefits will reinforce our efforts and further motivate us to keep going.

So do something today!

• Add one more physical activity to your day. This can be anything, I read an article in the paper about how inactive we are in America. They stated that doing something as simple as making copies at the copy machine would be an improvement. What's one additional activity you can do today?
• Unless it is fruit or something with no fat in it, skip dessert today.
• Substitute a healthier snack for what the snack you normally eat.
• If you have exercise equipment, use it today.
• If you belong to a fitness club, go there.
• Take half your usual serving at dinner and wait awhile before taking your next portion.
• Cook less food. If there is less there, there is less chance of eating it.
• If you are at the store, don't buy the foods you should not be eating.

The list goes on. The bottom line is, by doing something each day we learn what we are capable of or what we need to do differently next time.

Reflection

You'll seldom experience regret for anything you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear. Do it! Develop an appreciation for the present moment. Seize every second of your life and savor it. Value Your present moments. Using them up in any self- defeating ways means you've lost them forever.
Dr Wayne Dyer

Additional Resource:

Lowering High Cholesterol and Reducing Your Risk of Heart Disease- READY OR NOT! is an e-book program for living a healthier lifestyle. Go and download your copy at: www.lower-high-cholesterol-ready-or-not.com Get the information you need to begin reducing your health risks today.

Remember, having the right diet and getting enough exercise will not only improve your health- IT WILL IMPROVE YOU LIFE.

Until next time,
Dave Junno Psy.D.