A friend just shared with me the following quote:
“You’ll never medicate your way out of diseases you behave yourself into.”
-Dr. Roby Mitchell
I love it. I think one of the problems with our society is a reliance on medications which are treating behaviors we chose to have. Let’s look at some behavior modifications. What behaviors can you change to improve your health?
- Start moving. If you’re intimidated by going to the gym or exercising outside, start moving in your home or at work. Go up and down the stairs at work when you have a spare 10 minutes. Go up and down stairs in your home. Try exercise videos at home or buy a step and step up and down while you watch TV. Do something.
- Stop buying junk foods. If you don’t buy them then you will not eat them. Don’t bring chips, ice cream, and candy into your house.
- Stop baking. Baking results in lots of goodies that are eaten by you, your family, or your friends.
- Start fueling yourself with healthy foods. If you feel low on energy during the day, you are not fueling yourself. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans. When you start fueling yourself every 3-4 hours you’ll find that you’re not hungry and tired all day.
- Stop eating in front of the television. Night time snacking in front of the TV is a bad habit.
- Stop eating out. The more food we’re given the more we eat. Eat at home. Eat wholesome foods.
- Start cooking more at home. Find healthy recipes (there are tons online), make them, and enjoy them!
- Start reading food labels. Be informed about what you’re eating. Don’t live in denial.
I often hear the following excuses:
- Obesity runs in my family.
- I don’t have time to exercise.
- I have a slow metabolism.
Stop with the excuses and start changing your behaviors. You have the power to change your life, and you are the only one who can.