| “A person who has their health, has a thousand dreams. But the person that’s lost their health, has only one dream.” |
What is more important than your health? Besides a spiritual connection or relationship, health is a big one, and should be at the top of your list. When you lose your health, I can promise you that you will be forced to move your health to the top of your list.
I was at the grocery store with my 13-year-old daughter, Cassie, on December 23rd to shop for the holiday. We were ordering our Christmas prime rib from the butcher, we were chatting it up, laughing with the butcher we have known for years. There was commotion going on to the left of us, and we saw 2 EMT’s rush to the scene. There was a gentleman who was passed out on the floor. He was receiving CPR, fighting for his life. It was tough to see — it didn’t look good. Unfortunately, he did not survive.
Who was he? A grandpa, a husband, a father? He went to the grocery store the day before Christmas to get groceries and he didn’t go home. Was he healthy? Did he do all he could to protect his health? Did he have any chronic diseases? Diabetes, heart disease? Did he think about his family and how that would impact them if he lost his life early due to his health? I don’t know the answers to any of these questions. All of these questions are assumptions — this could have been a totally random incident. However, sudden death is most likely a heart attack or stroke, which likely was brewing for many years.
One day it’s going to be too late to do anything about it. Your health is contingent on your behavior and habits NOW. If you have unhealthy habits and behavior year after year, you are going to experience consequences. Weight gain, aches and pains, poor sleep, brain fog, more doctor visits and medications, lower quality of life, and a shorter life span.
Are you ready to make changes for yourself? Do something about it now instead of just thinking about it? Follow these simple steps:
1. Take ownership and responsibility Half the battle is owning it. No one can do this for you! YOU have to do the work. YOU have to take ownership for decisions you’ve made up to this point. They have painted the scene — the reality of where you are right now. Only you can change it. No one can do it for you.
2. Write down your health goals. People who set goals and write them down have better success than those who don’t have written goals.
3. Create a System To Meet the Goals: Setting goals is just the beginning. Now you need to implement a system to achieve those goals. For example:
Goal: Lose 25 lbs in 2023
The System:
* Exercise 3 days a week on Tuesday, Thursday at 6 AM and Saturday at 10 AM at Orange Theory (or gym of your choice)
* Drink a protein smoothie for breakfast every day
* Buy 10 prepped meals a week for lunches and dinners Monday-Friday to avoid pitfalls and poor eating habits
4. Read your goals first thing in the morning so you don’t forget them. Life moves fast, and if you don’t remind yourself daily of your goals, you will forget them, in as little as 2 weeks. Friendly advice: No social media or emails when you get up. Read your goals out loud FIRST. It will only take you a few minutes.
“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” — Zig Ziglar
5. Put your healthy action items on your schedule. Exercise, reading your goals, and meal prepping or purchasing prepped meals should ALL be on your schedule as recurring appointments.
6. Keep practicing. You don’t get good at something without practice. Get the reps in, stop the childish ‘all or nothing’ self talk. If you make a mistake or fail miserably, get your butt off the couch and try again. Go back to step #1. Don’t get stuck in the bad decision. Dust yourself off and get back in the game.
“What I have learned from working with Sarah is that if I have Whataburger for lunch,
I am making a salad for dinner.” — Donna, Empower Wellness client
Catch it quicker and get back to it — ditch the childish behavior of all or nothing thinking — “Well, I messed up so I’ll start tomorrow.” Tomorrow may never happen. At the end of 2023, you will be in worse shape than you are now with that mentality.
It starts TODAY — let’s get to work!
Need help? We can coach you! We also have meals to make it easier on you. Let us know if you’re ready for help!
