Get REAL About Your Health

Written by Branda Polk

Imagine for a moment walking into your bathroom, looking in the mirror and seeing a large purple stain on your face. You don’t remember or know how it got there and yet, the mirror is reflecting a stain. As you look you have several options of what to do. You could yell at the mirror and blame it for showing you the stain (after all, you can’t see it for yourself). You could wash the mirror to try to clean the stain off (but yet it is still on your face). You could walk away from the mirror and deny that the stain exists (but everyone sees the stain too). You could acknowledge the stain choose to leave it on your face. Or, you could acknowledge the stain, wash it off and go on about your day. 

While the final option is what most everyone would do because it makes sense, too many people live in denial of the reality of their health and wellness condition. The reality of rising body weight is evident in tighter clothes and yet, they blame the clothes for shrinking or being sized wrong. The reality of decreasing strength is evident when a gallon of milk feels heavy and bringing groceries from the car fatigues the arms, yet they accuse the milk producers of making heavier plastic jugs or the checker for packing the bags too full. The reality of decreasing aerobic fitness is evident as the top of the stairs is reached with breathlessness, yet they blame it on steep stairs or the lack of an elevator. These are just a few examples of the many health issues met with denial when we don’t choose to acknowledge reality. This year we will focus on getting REAL with our health and making real progress toward a healthier future. 

When we get real with our health we:

• Realize the truth about our current health. “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) The truth frees you to fully make lifestyle changes that will improve your health.
• Eliminate excuses. Remove the excuses you are making about your own choices and take responsibility for your health. Personal responsibility will empower you to make better choices.
• Ask for accountability. Invite trusted individuals to hold you accountable for both truth and personal responsibility.
• Live with a plan. Develop a plan to make progress based on your current condition and where you need to make improvements.

Getting real with your health is a process involving physical, mental, emotional and spiritual evaluation. True discovery of your current condition may be challenging at first. It is always easier to live in denial and continue down the path of least resistance. But, when we choose to acknowledge the present and plan for improvements with intentional lifestyle choices we benefit long-term. So, get real in 2008 and get fully well.

Branda Polk, B.S. Exercise Science, is a certified personal trainer, wellness coach, conference speaker and health writer in Lebanon, Tennessee. Sign up for Branda's newsletter, Wellness Connection, to receive encouragement and coaching in the areas of nutrition, exercise, and stress relief. Follow Branda on Twitter.