Most people go through life feeling that they are not in control, especially as it relates to our food choices. In fact, it often feels like our food is choosing us and we find ourselves eating food that might not be part of our long-term health goals. Our life is filled with things we must do and our dreams and aspirations are filled with things we assume are not within our control. Life then becomes a series of things that happen to us. It’s not surprising to find using people hope to stay focused on health outcomes. They start with a weight loss program hoping to stick it. The truth however is that YOU are ultimately responsible for your outcome in life. For example, hope is what you need when your great aunt is sick in the hospital and there is nothing you can do about it… but with food, health and health related outcomes, you are in charge of it all by choosing what to do. Your choices in such matters ultimately determine your outcome. Just hoping is not enough, heck hope is at the bottom of the pyramid of success if you ask me. You cannot just hope that your desire to attain healthy weight will be fulfilled, you have to take strategic steps to achieve it.
Hoping for something can be likened to the same way a child wishes for extraordinary things and that’s not enough to inspire you to aspire for success. You can simply say ‘I have hope so it will happen’ with healthy and sustainable weight loss, doing the right things for your health will help you to achieve your desired goal. It’s just like saying ‘I hope to get this job’ then just showing up for an interviewed unprepared. Instead you put in work by researching the company, revamping your resume and then putting on your best dress.
Dr. William Glasser a leading researcher developed a popular theory known as the Choice Theory. This theory explains human behavior based on internal motivation. Dr. Glasser pointed out that our behaviours as humans are chosen as we continuously attempt to satisfy one or more of the five basic needs that are inherently part of our genetic structure. He pointed out that the only person whose behavior we can control is our OWN. He describes Total behavior has been made up of four different components namely; feeling, thinking, physiology and acting. Two of the components: thinking and acting are directly under our control while the other two can only be controlled indirectly by the way we choose to think and act. In essence, your ability to lose weight or maintain your health is often a function of what your lifestyle and choices in life. We have control over a number of things in life and we can utilize the power of choices to alter our personal perception. Of course, there are a number of statistics outlining the debilitating effects of cancer, heart disease, obesity and others. You simply can’t hope that you’re not affected by them, it’s imperative that you take initiative regarding the control you have over your health.
Do you get regular exercise? What about healthy eating? Do you regularly communicate your concerns to a doctor and get yourself examined? Apparently, we don’t have complete control over our genes, but do you? Recent research is showing that by considering what food you put into your body, along with other environmental factors, you CAN, in fact control the expression of your genes and YOU are in total control of caring for your body. Getting sufficient sleep, eating healthy food and staying active are all personal choices, things we have control over. In this case… hope is no longer required. So, when you are focussed on your health regimens stop saying “I hope I can do it” or ” I hope I will stick with it. Instead, regain your control. Choose healthy food and start some form of exercise. You cannot simply rely on other people or circumstances around you to control your outcome. It’s never too late to take charge of your life’s choices. Break the chains of self-defeating habits and attitudes. Constantly challenge yourself to practice the power of personal choice and control. As you take back control of your life and choices; your health will improve and you will find yourself moving in the direction of a future you desire. And then hope becomes irrelevant for your desired health outcomes!
Christopher Lawrence is a Co-Founder of the Healthy Transformations program with Dr. Mike Breen. He is also the Chief Value Officer and Founder of Change My Life Coaching and Co-Founder of Change My Business Coaching — a fast growing whole-life, leadership and business coaching company, and the only one of it’s kind. He is also the author of “Go Beyond Passion: Discover Your Dream Job”. Christopher is a Certified Master Coach Practitioner (CMCP), trainer and facilitator, and a passionate public speaker that truly cares about the success of each and every single person he comes into contact with. You can reach him at Christopher@ChangeMyLifeCoaching.ca.
