The Power of a Lifestyle Change

Most people know that one of the best ways to better health is through healthy eating, exercise, and a change in lifestyle…

But despite that knowledge, for most Americans, it takes a backseat – it requires effort, discipline and a change in lifestyle. And that, for most people, is too difficult…

After all, we have kids, families… jobs, obligations and convenience prevails for the sake of sanity.

In the end, many people just head to their Physician and receive a prescription for medication.  I see this every day as I trudge through my Facebook feed – the same people will often times lay their pills on the counter and make a statement to the effect of “well, another pill…. lets see if this one helps what the other 7 aren’t yet doing for me..”

But then the same feed fills up with lifestyle choices that are probably contributing to their underlying issue.

And Medicine is Not Always A Bad Thing…

In some cases, it’s required – lifesaving, and extremely useful, depending on the circumstance.

But in most cases, going to the doctor to grab a prescription is easier to help you feel better.  And, likewise, there is a misconception in this country that you always need a drug to help yourself feel better. 

The U.S. Healthcare System is a business ~ and their mission is to keep themselves in business through the prescription of medications, instead of focusing on treating items without an intervention of drugs. 

Things like high blood pressure, sleep problems, high cholesterol, cold and flu, and in some cases, anxiety can in most cases be taken care of without the intervention of drugs.

Several years ago when we visited the doctor for problems my husband had with anxiety led to more prescriptions, and never attempted to address the possibility of adopting a change in lifestyle, and diet to help improve symptoms and in some cases treat the issues at hand.

• During the doctor appointments, never once was diet, exercise or nutrition discussed.
• The doctor never mentioned the importance in reducing the amount of refined sugar being consumed.
• Never once did the doctor make a mention of natural supplements that would have helped aid him in getting better

The wait in the waiting room was lengthy – but the appointment was rather quick… the prescription being the main focus and in the end, six prescriptions later, he was on his way.

The Power of a Healthy Lifestyle

At the end of the visit, and faced with 6 prescriptions from the pharmacy, it was clearly evident that lifestyle changes had not been discussed. 

It was at that time that our self research began into lifestyle-based alternatives – without the risky side effects and damage that other methods (prescription medication) could possibly do to his gut.  Not only did we watch documentaries, we did a considerable amount of reading…  

• We changed our diet drastically – switching to whole, organic foods with an emphasis on produce and raw dairy over processed foods with refined sugar
• Over the next year we eliminated eating out – from restaurants to fast food, we opted to make food at home even if it did take longer on nights we were tired
• In December, 2015, we invested in an Instant Pot so we could make healthy meals faster – it has been a lifesaver
• We eliminated trips to the grocery store in lieu of buying organic produce from our CSA here in the East Valley – produce grown without pesticides and only through the help of nature
• In lieu of processed dairy, we opt for Raw Dairy from our Organic, Raw Dairy farm. Although more in cost per gallon, it helps maintain a strong immune system and is a great base for our homemade Kefir that we drink daily
• Slowly we worked hard to remove him from prescription medication in lieu of using Essential Oils for wellness

It was not a one-day change. It was a change over time – it required (and still requires) HUGE effort, daily discipline, and willingness to put blinders on to the things we see that might tempt us to go back to the way we did things before.

It is important to remember that you are the only one that can be responsible for your health.

You can opt to believe that this responsibility rests on someone else – but at the end of the day, you are the person who has to live with the consequences of your health – the choices you make daily have a profound impact on your wellness.

It’s up to you to embrace a healthy lifestyle that will help you feel better.  In the end, it’s not that prescription medications don’t have a place in helping people get better – but if you can make a lifestyle change to propel yourself there, then why not take advantage of that?