Many people come to seek the services of Robust Life Center because something is obstructing their life in the way of a health issue. There are also some emotional or mental factors that possibly contribute to the obstacle being experienced.  As a practitioner, I observe and evaluate the person and look at the information presented as an objective professional.  Once support is offered in the way of nutrition and diet, the possibility of positive change can occur. However, it is only a possibility until the individual decides to integrate the changes.  Here is where the challenge resides.

Until a person changes the habits that led to or perpetuated the prior condition, any help offered is likely to fail.  Our habits actually dictate the direction of our lives and outcome.  The word “HABIT” can be defined as an acronym:  Highly Addictive Behaviors Intensified over Time.  We all have habits of things we do or do not do.  Some of our habits are constructive while others are destructive.  It may be that our “supportive habits” offer a “long-term payoff” while our “non-supportive habits” offer a “short-term payoff”.

This can mean something like a habit of regular exercise over time that improves physical capacity over all.  This is in contrast to a weekend warrior experience that feels great while doing the action followed by days of pain from over-exertion.  The important aspect of recognizing the habit patterns is to determine the direction of one’s life.

The prospect of changing habits is terrifying to some, difficult or for others, just need to take place.  Here is a question to contemplate when looking at the effect of one’s habits:  Do my current habits take me in the direction of my dream or ideal life?

There are known obstacles & experiences that show up when one attempts to change a habit:

• Comfortable / Complacency
• Change is painful
• Social effects on circle of friends
• Consistency – self identity with need to change
• Immediacy of payoff – desire of instant gratification

The way to effectively change a habit is to “do your homework” on exactly what needs to change.  Many try to change all habits at once.  This can be disappointing.  A better approach is to take it one habit at a time and follow a road map for change.  It is much like taking a trip to a desired destination.  Here are six steps to long-lasting habit change that will increase the likelihood of reaching the dream or ideal life:

1. Pre-contemplation – making the decision of necessity to change
2. Contemplation  —  determining what needs to be changed – creating a list is helpful
3. Preparation – deciding what steps to take on a gradient – avoid doing everything at once
4. Action – start small with step 1, step 2, etc. – be patient
5. Maintenance – lock in the process of positive change over time
6. Completion –The change is integrate in your being

The late Stephen Covey came up with a list primary habits that can lead to a effective life experience.  These are universal and I work on them personally.  One of my other mentors left me with this gem that further enhances these seven habits, “work harder on yourself than you do on your job!”

1. Exercise – move the body every day
2. Study – never stop learning
3. Serve – fully employ your skills and talents to help others
4. Prioritize – Choose the important from the urgent and non-important
5. Finish what you start – take all cycles to completion
6. Be pro-active – motivate yourself to action
7. Sharpen the Saw – constantly improve the way you do things

Leading a life of “Sustainable Vibrant Health” means changing the way one journeys forward through life.  There is great joy, peace and happiness once on the journey.  Working on changing health habits is probably the most effective way to begin changing the outcome.  The staff at Robust Life Center is trained and skilled at helping to make the experience fulfilling and productive.