5 Simple Decisions That Will Change Your Life Without Breaking Your Budget

Being healthy is not just about losing weight, getting down to a certain waist size to fit into your skinny jeans, becoming strong enough to bench 200 pounds, or even winning the grand prize on “The Biggest Loser.”

It is, however, all about the journey.

It is not about achieving a certain goal. It is about who you become in the process. And if in the process you become a person who is committed to doing the right thing in every area of your life, including taking good care of your physical body, then an awesome life journey awaits you.

In his book “Quiet Strength,” 2007 NFL Coach of the Year Tony Dungy says, “It’s about the journey — mine and yours – the lives we can touch, the legacy we can leave, and the world we can change for the better.”

Here are five small decisions. Read them, embrace them, make them yours and live them every day. Start small if you need, but start somewhere. Be committed to grow your thinking and expand your horizons. See things in new ways. Always try to be better today than you were yesterday and you will see that, indeed, small changes, over time, really do make a big difference!

1. Define your dream.

“If your dream is so small that it doesn’t make you grow and change who you are to have it, then your dream’s not big enough!” Mark Gorman

Why start with something as simple as a “dream”? Your reason, or your dream, is the single most important element of beginning a healthy lifestyle. You have to define your reason to want to be healthy. It might be a buff body you want, a pair of “skinny” jeans that really fit, or just quality time playing with the grandkids without getting exhausted. It might be that you want to increase your odds of a long and full life so you can really enjoy retirement. It has to be “your” reason, “your” dream.

Why focus on that first? The truth is, any change in the old habits is hard. You can bet that you will go through some tough times, some discouragement, and even some ridicule from your friends who just don’t understand. But a well-defined dream implanted deep in your heart will propel you through the hard times so you won’t give up. Remember this: Always focus on what you are going to and not what you are going through; focus on the prize, not the price. So define exactly your dream so it is clear in your mind where you want to go. A dream costs you nothing and will gain you everything. A person with a big dream is unstoppable!

2. Never go on a “diet” again.

“Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed!” Benjamin Franklin

We have all seen people go on some special “diet” and lose some pounds as a result. But is the diet really healthy? And did they gain the weight right back when they went off the diet? Here’s the secret: Rather than going on a special crash diet that requires you to starve, or eat some awful concoction of boiled cabbage for a few months, adopt an eating plan that you can stick with long term. The problem with dieting is that it is usually a very temporary change in your eating habits. And, when the diet is over, even if you made your weight goal, and you go back to your old eating habits, guess what? You will soon be right back where you started. Doesn’t it make sense to just begin making small changes today to your food choices and work toward adopting a life-style of healthy eating? So no more dieting!

3. Get some movement in your life every day – and feel good!

The dictionary is the only place where “success” comes before “work.”

Exercise involves work, there’s no way around it. But for starters, begin with an intensity level that is consistent with where you are physically right now. The key word here is “start.” Make that small change right now to begin to get you from where you are to where you want to go. Walk up the stairs, or down the street and back. As you exercise each day, gradually increase the intensity level. As you work out with increasing intensity, you will surprisingly notice that you will feel better and your mood will improve. This is due to the release of hormone-like substances called endorphins. Endorphins are neurotransmitters produced in the brain during strenuous exercise that can create feelings of euphoria, and even reduce pain. So you want a really great “feel good”? Get some exercise!

4. Educate yourself on healthy foods and make them a regular part of your intake.

If you keep on doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep on getting what you’re getting. If you want to change some things, you gotta change some things.

Yes, we said, “educate.” It is so easy to pull up to the drive up window and get a double cheeseburger and large fries and off you go. But the reality is that there are hundreds of “empty” calories in much of our food. Empty calories are simply that — food that satisfies your appetite, but does not provide any appreciable nutrition, or fuel, for your body. Learn the difference between foods really good for you and the impostors.

If you want some great recipes and much more info on nutrition, take a look at “The Abs Diet” by David Zinczenko, editor-in-chief of “Men’s Health” Magazine. This is not a “diet” book at all, but an incredibly common sense, easy-to-read book explaining your body’s need for good nutrition and exercise. There are lots of exercises illustrated in the book that you can do at the gym or at home! If you only buy one book on the subject, this is it!

5. Review these decisions every week and be accountable to someone for your commitment.

“Time is limited, so I better wake up every morning fresh and know that I have just one chance to live this particular day right, and to string my days together into a life of action, and purpose.” Lance Armstrong

If you take a few minutes every week to review your dream, and renew your commitment to eat healthy and get daily exercise, committing every day that you will be better today than you were yesterday, then you will be well on your way to beginning with those small steps that will in time, make a big difference in your life. You can do it! You are worth it! Your family is worth it! A fantastic journey awaits you!

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