Changing our lifestyle choices can be difficult. Unfortunately, many of us know from our own experiences, that simply having some knowledge, and a desire to make healthy choices, does not result in long-term success with our new lifestyle. In my experience, rarely is failure due to a lack of self discipline. Often, failure is from starting in the wrong place -- the place that is not easiest for us -- or taking an unnatural approach relative to our natural personality and personal values.

     Frequently, unhealthy fitness and eating choices are the symptoms of poorly managed stress. Much of our sedentary behavior and indulgent eating habits are simply poor attempts to manage the stress in our lives. We're so exhausted from school, our jobs, less than perfectly managed relationships at home and at work, living among clutter, and a constant bombardment from advertisers, that we often have no energy left to take care of ourselves.

     The thought of enjoying a session at the fitness center after standing on our feet all day is incomprehensible, especially if we are already more than a few pounds overweight. It's so much easier to reach for the TV remote, a drink or a tasty snack to relieve our stress, than to put out even more energy to exercise or prepare a healthful meal.

     Often, we put taking care of our health at the bottom of our "to do" list, where the guilt of not doing what we know we "should" compounds our stress. So, if you're not where you want to be yet with your physical activity level and eating habits, RELAX! For many of us, the first step to living a physically healthier lifestyle is to more effectively manage our everyday stress.

     The Six Paths to Wellness are shared paths. By improving in any one of the six primary areas of health, you will impact the other five areas. So, it's simple. Just pick the easiest one for you as your starting point. For many, once we learn how to communicate better with our boss and co-workers, heal our family relationships, and truly believe that we are worth putting ourselves first, the fitness and nutrition changes follow more easily. For others, it is means first getting a different job or position, or moving to a new geographic area. Only a small percentage of people, in my experience, find it easiest to start with the physical remodel.

     It's not selfish to protect our own health - it's required. Unless we do, we truly cannot be there for anyone else, paid or unpaid. Taking care of yourself -- mind, body and spirit -- is your number one job, and needs to be your number one priority. If you don't, nothing else matters -- you can't fully be there for anyone else!

       For more information on living a healthy lifestyle visit the Health Education Articles on this web site.

	"The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not." Mark Twain