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It’s that time of year to do the resolution thing.

I believe the statistics bandied about are 80% of folks make resolutions. And the success rate… well it’s not too great.

Why is that?
Clearly it takes more than “consequences”… particularly when the consequences are less than immediate. And when it comes to health - in the vast majority of cases – the consequences aren’t immediately recognized.

The leading maladies (obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis) are all in large part due to the choices we make. The choices in nutrition, the choices in lifestyle and the choices in environmental factors.

How do people go from “trying” to change to successfully changing?

The most common change motivator is a significant painful event. For instance, people are more motivated to change their diet AFTER they’ve had a heart attack.

The second most common change motivator is reaching a point of “enough”, being completely fed up.

And the third most common change motivator is being inspired such as when you change for someone else - for instance, a spouse or child. Or when you hear of another persons success and you’re inspired to create your own.

Maybe you want to change, but you’re not significantly compelled to do so. No problem, change your perception. We get very wrapped up in the day to day. But if you set aside a little bit of time and push yourself to be completely honest, you may very well find that motivation to get – and keep – you going.

Ask yourself – and write down – what’s the consequence of my behavior. For instance, if you’re overweight, what is the impact on a daily basis and on a cumulative basis. The impact on yourself and the impact on the people in your life. Be brutally honest – it will be just between you and you.

Next, write down the impact of changing the behavior. How would your life change. Be as detailed as possible.

Lastly, are the people closest to you able to support that change. If not, where can you find people that will support that change.

There are so many reasons to eat well… or perhaps so many reasons to not eat poorly. Many people just don’t want to honestly confront them and yet when their health deteriorates they’re so full of regret. Make the perception of that regret now to motivate you to change now… then they’ll be no need for regret.