One Size DOESN’T Fit All

I confess; I used to claim I loved studying what made people HEALTHY. Years of studying has created a sense of dizziness resulting from all the “flip-flopping” required to follow the guidelines that “research” has dictated. Is it the low fat or high fat diet that creates the best lab panel? Is it cardiovascular exercise or weight lifting that provides the “best bang” for your time spent when it comes to weight management? How do emotions play in to the results achieved by modifying lifestyles? With so many “experts” in health and science disagreeing, how are we supposed to determine the best path to follow to achieve optimal health? The answer is actually quite simple.

We will NEVER be able to provide THE ANSWER to satisfy everyone’s individual needs to achieve optimal health.

Recognizing this fact is an important first step in improving the quality of health our society can achieve. This almost sounds like a contradiction. The fact is, understanding that each of our needs (physical, chemical, emotional and spiritual) are different helps us use research to apply different approaches that best suit our individual needs. In simple terms:

THERE IS NO ONE SIZE “FITS ALL” ANSWER.

Our bodies do not follow trends. Their needs do not change as new research unveils new findings. There is a commonality, however, necessary to sustain life. Water, oxygen and specific nutrients are essential for existence.  Existence, however, is NOT the same thing as QUALITY HEALTH. Each individual has a different physiological constitution that functions better under different circumstances. Discovering the different combinations of different components for each of us to maximize our individual health and quality of life has become an untenable task . Yet, rules are established by scientists, researchers and clinicians that adamantly claim to know the “RIGHT ANSWERS.” What is the average consumer who finds him or herself in the middle of this quagmire supposed to do?

I suggest a good starting place is turning to the “doctor within” (also known as your INNATE INTELLIGENCE.)  I wrote about this “doctor” in a previous post.

(THE DOCTOR WITHIN)

Use your eyes and ears to see and listen to the latest recommendations; then follow your “gut”, your heart and your head. Using common sense (a skill the “doctor within” develops through real life experiences,) better results are often achieved than science and research alone. Ask yourself some common sense questions?

When it comes to food:

1. Am I better off with real food or processed food?

2. Is it more likely that nutrients are better and more efficiently absorbed by eating one large meal, or multiple smaller meals throughout the day?

3. Since protein, carbohydrates and fats are found in various REAL FOOD sources, does it make sense we should drastically minimize or maximize any one of these macronutrients? In other words does the “doctor within” recommend approaching nutrition using BALANCE or EXTREMES?

4. Am I more likely to eat healthier by preparing my own foods or eating out?

5. Am I better off eating a variety of real foods or limiting myself to the same choices each day?

6. Am I better off satisfying what the “doctor within” is telling me I NEED, or focusing ONLY on my brain’s pleasure center and satisfying taste and desires? Is it possible my innate intelligennce can guide me to better food selections AND help me satisfy my brain’s pleasure center satisfying taste and desires?

7. Do I believe that GOOD NUTRITION is a component necessary to incorporate in life to PREVENT DISEASE?

When it comes to exercise:

1. Is a body that MOVES or a body that’s STATIONARY more likely to be healthy?

2. Can exercise provide health benefits if performed only 2-3 days/week, for 15-30 minute intervals?

3. Can exercise be activities (such as gardening, mowing the lawn, hiking, rollerblading, martial arts, etc…?)

4. Do I believe exercise is more likely accomplished (LONG TERM) by using a BALANCED approach (some cardio, some resistance, some Yoga or Pilates {2-4 days/week, 15-60 minute intervals}), or EXTREME approach (high intensity cardio and resistance to burn as many calories as possible {6-7 days/week? 60-120 minute intervals.})

5. Do I believe that EXERCISE is a component necessary to incorporate in life to PREVENT DISEASE?

When it comes to emotions:

1. Does the “doctor within” believe EMOTIONS play a role in good health?

2. Do relationships (family, social, spiritual) impact my emotions both positively and negatively?

3. Do I take the time to use the “doctor within” to help me evaluate and correct emotional imbalances?

4. Have I ever considered emotional imbalances (as a result of chemical imbalances) caused by nutritional, exercise and social relationship deficiencies rather than pharmaceutical deficiencies? If I allowed my innate intelligence to provide common sense suggestions to follow, is it possible to achieve emotional BALANCE ?

5. Does the “doctor within” believe that EMOTIONAL balance is a component necessary to incorporate in life to PREVENT DISEASE?

Allowing your INNATE INTELLIGENCE to work with your conscious mind and body can provide better answers to improving your physical, mental and spiritual health than many of the recommendations offered today by trained authorities. Does this mean we don’t need professional guidance? Of course not. It simply means we should use professionals to help guide us when obstacles interfere with our ability to find common sense solutions from our own “doctor within.”

It is my opinion that the doctor within” is often best suited to help guide you through the decision making process along the various paths you will face and help you decide which forks in the road create the best outcomes to achieve the quality of life you choose. Rather than searching EXTERNALLY to duplicate a perception of happiness and good health , look within your own gut, heart and brain and discover the true source of happiness and good health.

Tags: Balance, disease, health, innate, lifestyle, Quality of living