Here is my rant for the day.  As a healthcare provider, specifically a doctor of chiropractic (DC), it is my calling to lead people towards better health.  Diagnosing and treating a patient is only a portion of my job as I see it.  The Latin translation of “doctor” is “teacher,” so a big part of what I try and do is to “coach” someone on how to look after themselves and their family.

One and Done

In these modern times, you must be your own health advocate (your own doctor) and work consistently on your health. Most understand this, but do not apply it consistently enough to be healthy, vibrant, and independent.  ‘One and done’ doesn’t work in maintaining or trying to regain your health.  Will one workout get you healthy?  How about one healthy meal a week?  What about one adjustment?  One healthy thought is good, but it certainly will not get you thinking positively every day.

“You cannot coast to health.  There is no progress towards health without some consistent effort.”

Like all things, the concept is simple.  The difficulty is applying it consistently enough to make a positive change.   The truth is, you are either moving towards health, or not.  Health is not a static event that once you achieve, you stop doing the very things that got you there in the first place.

In 15 years as a health care provider I have found there are 2 main reasons why people fail at maintaining and bettering their health:

• Coasting

You feel ok or good and believe/hope this will continue without any further effort.  I see this when a patient who feels better stops coming in before full correction and stabilization has occurred.  A weight loss clinic sees this when a weight loss goal is achieved.  A runner sees this when they stop training for that ½ marathon they once completed.  Coasting will always result in a health decline and the further one coasts the harder it becomes to get back on track.  We’ve all been there.  Personally, I have neglected my flexibility over the years and I am now working extremely hard to get some of it back!

• Decision Making

Too Many Decisions!

If you try and make the right decisions every day (the average adult makes about 35,000 decisions each day) to better your health, you will likely fail.  We all have enough decisions to make each day, so make your life easier by making fewer decisions.  Don’t ask yourself if you should have a green smoothie in the morning.  Prepare it the night before and do it.  Should you work out today?  Just put it in your schedule as a “meeting” so there is no “thinking” or “deciding”.  We have patients schedule their appointments in advance in our office to help keep them on track with their health goals.  You should do the same with your daily walk, food prep, or whatever it is you want to do.

At the end of the day, there is no one on the planet who cares more about your health than you should.  Make it easier on yourself – stop coasting and stop “thinking” about it – you will always self-talk your way out of the more difficult choice.

Don’t think about it, schedule it, do it, and your health or goal will be more easily achieved.

Rant over, 😊