Precept Employee Benefits Blog

Wellness programs often initiate healthy behavior, but we often return to our old ways as soon as the program ends. How many times have we heard someone say that they need to go on a diet? How many times have we said that ourselves? But if you’re like myself you realize that often times these “diets” get tossed out by excuses such as, “well, my friends are over so I can have a couple-few beers” or “I’ll start eating better tomorrow… make that next week” or “this good cookin’ doesn’t come around too often” and so on and so on. The reason why we often fail with diets is because of this thing called behavior, and it’s so hard to change.

In order to get the most out of any wellness program it’s important to understand that healthy behaviors do not happen overnight. It takes work, a lot of dedication, and support to name a few. Two things I’d like for you to keep in mind while reading: 1) I’ve once read somewhere that it takes doing something about 26 times before it even begins to develop into a habit, and 2) “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” What does this have to do with health behavior you ask? Everything. For instance, dieting often fails because of the way most of us perceive its meaning: it’s temporary. However, the word diet comes from the Latin word “diaeta” which means “way of living,” but when we go into our diets none of us really look at it as a lifestyle change, which is often the reason why we fail. If you want to live a healthier lifestyle start doing the things that healthy people do. If you follow a routine at least 26 times and develop it into a habit, you can just about put your weighing scale away; it’ll only be a matter of time before you start feeling and looking the way healthy people do.

I had dropped more than 40 pounds within one year when I realized this concept, and know far too well how easy it is to pick up old bad habits. It really helps if you’re surrounded by people who are supportive of your efforts, which can sometimes inspire those who support you to live healthier lives as well. I happened to join a cycling club, but what really helped me was that I would ask people what they did to stay fit, and a snowball-effect occurred. Not only did I discover what other healthy and tasty foods I could eat, but what other fun and challenging activities I could do as well.

Diets fail because it often has a simple purpose: weight loss. Great success stories are often gotten from those who “live healthy” by doing as the healthy people do. We are all very capable of change, but the trick is to be patient with ourselves. In other words don’t give up if you find yourself five pounds heavier after a cruise, or have eaten an entire pie all by yourself. After all, there is no need to deprive yourself of the foods you love, as long as you have them in healthy portions or are active enough to “burn” that fuel. If you’ve realized you’ve faltered, simply accept the act and move forward towards the healthier you. We can get a lot out of our wellness programs if we realize that they are simply doorways to good health.

So, are you on a diet or a diaeta? What are some of the things that you do to stay healthy?