What Does it Mean to Own Your Health?

What does it truly mean to own your health?

Many of us whether we care to admit it or not, are playing victim when it comes to our health.

That may sound harsh, but when it comes to the choices we make each day - those choices either align us with illness or align us with wellness.

We often create a story and that story is what helps us stay snug as a bug in our comfort zones.

Sometimes that story sounds like "I've always been this way". Sometimes it may sound like "I could never do that", or "I don't have the money, motivation, or the time". Sometimes we even convince ourselves so much that we are going to do better that our story often sounds like "I'll start next month" or "when I'm not so busy".

Ever wonder how certain people can be so disciplined while others have trouble making the tiniest of changes?

I wish I had the answer to that, but what I can say is that for the ones who struggle to improve the course of their health there's almost always an underlying emotional trigger that keeps them fighting for their circumstances.

Growth is a mindset and when it comes down to goals there are two types of people - people who want something and go after it, or people who think they want something but will use every excuse in the book not to go after it. Fear creates resistance.

It's like when people complain of being sick but resist any external suggestion that may help them feel better. There is comfort that comes with our current circumstances and change can be scary as hell.

Change might mean to some people that they'll be expected to do more things now that they aren't sick. It might mean having to take a look in the mirror and begin rebuilding a better relationship with themselves after dropping the excess weight. It might mean going after a new relationship or getting out of the one they're in because they found confidence and self-worth.

There's comfort in the familiarity of negative self-talk and the stories we tell ourselves, and looking at ourselves through a new lens can be scary.

Owning your health is a decision. You have to DECIDE to take care of your health every day by creating a new story.

Owning your health means:

• Eating foods you don't like. Sorry, but it's true. When you understand how certain foods boost your health you'll decide to eat them.

• Going to bed early when your body sends you signals that it's tired and run down.

• Giving up those bad habits once and for all. Sorry not sorry.

• Calling in sick when you're sick! That's right! I said it, take that sick day and stop giving a sh*t about who's judging you.

• Developing a genuine interest in wellness. This means finding what works for you, developing your own personal philosophy and staying true in your conviction towards wanting be healthy.

• Looking at yourself in the mirror every day and facing what you can't change and owning the sh*t out of what you can!

• Becoming addicted to feeling good. Develop a craving for that feeling that comes after a great workout or nourishing meal.

• Delegating tasks to your partner so you can have some time to relax, workout, or get a massage (return the favor).

• Getting crystal clear on what you want and what you don't want by writing it down. Then write down how those things make you feel. Focus on how you want to feel and what that means to you.

• Getting away from those relationships that drain you of your energy and joy.

• Saying no when co-workers, friends or loved ones offer you treats because it no longer aligns with what you want.

The bottom line is that wellness takes a bit of work and practice but once you decide to show up for your health the steps that's required to feel good no longer feels like work.