Mix It Up

First, we’re not talking about a mix-up, that state or instance of confusion or muddle—although there is definitely some of that whenever anyone tries to define “wellness.” We’re not talking about a fight or confrontation—although you might find some of that too. We’re talking about taking what works, looking at it in new ways, making new connections, putting it in a new perspective—and making it work for each of us within the context of our daily lives.

We all know healthy living doesn’t happen at the doctor’s office. The road to better health (wellness) is paved with the small decisions we make every day. It’s about the choices we make at the grocery store, where we park, whether or not we take the stairs, whether we walk the dog or watch TV, whether we pop a frozen pizza in the microwave or instead choose to steam some vegetables. And, it’s about how all of these choices mix together to influence our lives—and yes, our health. In a manner of speaking, it’s about weights and measures. We’re mixing it up.

In a post not too long ago, we pointed out that “diets are dead.” With most diets there are rules that clearly state what to eat, how much to eat, and when to eat. They tell you when to weigh yourself, and how much you should weigh. They follow a specific path—low-carb, low-fat, high-protein, all natural, and specify a set number of calories you absolutely, positively cannot exceed. They go on to suggest how long you should spend at the gym or health club in all that spare time you have. But, this is not how most of us live our lives. It’s not how our world works. And it’s not how we will change behavior patterns in the long run to achieve sustainable weight loss / health / wellness.

When we think of a “diet” most of us think of inconvenience, deprivation and temporary sacrifice. In reality, there’s nothing temporary about it—once you achieve your goal, you have to maintain it. Now if we start to mix it up a little, and shift the focus from “diet” to, “lifestyle change,” we’re also shifting our focus from negative to positive. We’re breaking down the barriers between dieting and wellness and when we do that, we can move forward and create something new.

And, what if that something new is a new way to achieve what you’ve been after all along? Are you game to the idea of mixing it up?