Prevention is the Best Medicine

If you knew that you could reduce your chances of chronic disease by simply shifting decisions you make multiple times a day, would you make the choices that would possibly save and shape your life?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “A few, largely preventable, risk factors account for most of the world’s disease burden. Chronic diseases are the major cause of death and disability worldwide, and increasingly affect people from developing as well as developed countries. This reflects a significant change in diet habits, physical activity levels and tobacco use worldwide as a result of industrialization, urbanization, economic development and increasing food market globalization…”

What is going on? “People worldwide are consuming more foods that are energy-dense- high in sugar and /or saturated fats – or excessively salty” Not only are these food substances bad for your body, but most are highly addictive and create ravaging cravings for more.

Chances are that you know what you should be doing to be well, you know you need more vegetables, more fruits, or to exercise more. The trick is actually following through with and sticking to what you know to do. If this describes you, you are not alone. In fact, the diet industry is a hugely popular industry world wide, people are in fact trying to make changes, but most of the “silver bullets” out in the world are simply not sustainable, or are not meant to be followed for a prolong period of time, which leads to feelings of frustration and defeat.

What should you do? Here are a few tips to help you jumpstart your path toward preventing chronic diseases and reaching your health goals:

1. Take small steps – making one small change a week or even a day, allows space for you to focus on and create new sustainable habits.
2. Add water into your every day – often when people are reaching for munchy foods, they are actually only thirsty. Before you reach for junk food, drink a cup of water, wait about ten minutes then see, are you still hungry?
3. Create stress-relieving habits - stress plays a huge roll in the health and life of people in today’s incredibly demanding world. Creating tools to use when you are feeling stressed will help to reduce the physical impact, and allow you to think clearly, making better decisions and communicate more effectively. Such tools may include incorporating meditation, sound healing, getting massage, or getting support.
4. Add one vegetable to your plate at each meal – I use a very successful concept called “crowding out” when I work with my clients to shift habits. Adding in healthful foods at each meal leaves less space for junk food, your body will feel more satiated, and this will naturally reduce cravings.
5. Get a Good Coach – working with a Board Certified Health Coach will enable you to be held accountable, set and achieve goals, learn new ways of thinking about food and lifestyle choices, which will make them practical in your life.

Following these recommendations will enable you to begin following through with the things you already know to do, giving you a great starting point on your journey toward a healthier, more dynamic you!

Tammi Hoerner, CHHC, AADP, MH
Nutrition Counselor

Rocky Mountain Healing Center