Small Steps Lead to Big Results - Healthy Eating, Active Living

Have you noticed that your car always breaks down at an inconvenient time? 

Whenever my car had some minor problem, I’d rush to my mechanic not wanting to spend the time or the money and he’d always say, “Hey you can pay me now, or you can pay me more later.”

So it is with your health. 

If your health isn’t a priority for you now, there will come a day, probably not of your choosing, when it will be and the costs in timing and expense will not be convenient.

That’s my story in a nutshell.  I took reasonably good care of myself, ate relatively well, but ignored some of the “engine noises.”  Then came the wake-up call.  It involved major surgery and the possibility for more surgery was as they said, “significant.”  That’s when I decided to take a stand.

I don’t know about you, but my attitude toward gyms is that they are a necessary evil.  I liked the results, but would prefer to be most anywhere else.  I also labored most of my adult life under the philosophy that to be healthy I had to go to a gym at least three times a week and do 30 minutes of heart-pounding aerobic exercise.

About the time I took my stand, a friend referred me to a non-profit that needed a volunteer to teach a wellness program.  I thought “perfect!”   When I met with them, I discovered that their program was based upon new research that was completely different from the gym regimen.

I signed on.  I began working the program and led one class.  My results have been phenomenal.  I’ve worked the program for four years and have lost over 80 pounds. The doctor just smiles now and says, “Keep doing what you’re doing.”

I became so passionate about the program, I partnered with the non-profit to bring it to a larger audience and have since led several thousand participants through the program.  Their results have been impressive.

The basic philosophy of the program is this:

• 30 minutes of moderately intense physical activity accumulated throughout the day on most days of the week

• Eat a well-balanced diet low in sugar and saturated fats.

• Couple your goals with lifestyle skills (goal setting, overcoming barriers, enlisting support, etc) to create lasting changes rather than an intervention (like most diets and exercise programs).

There are a number of operative words above that really distinguish this program from others and I’ll write more specifically about them on the next post, but the essence is this: 

Being active, doing the things you love to do and eating well, with foods that you enjoy.  And small steps lead to big results.