5 Proven Ways to Safely Make Positive Life Changes

One of the most important aspects of living a healthy andprosperous life is understanding "risk." By this I mean knowinghow to understand and analyze situations in life that affecthealth. Being able to accurately weigh benefits and risks whenmaking health decisions is very important! Too often decisionsare based on incomplete or inaccurate information and this is ahuge mistake with significant consequences!

Failure to accurately assess risk keeps people locked in allkinds of unhealthy situations including poor eating and exercisehabits (lifestyle), relationships and jobs. Sometimes people arejust afraid to step out and make a change. They see "risk" inmaking a change when the REAL risk comes from NOT making achange. From my perspective, living with the stress, unhappinessand frustration of indecision and poor health is the greatestrisk of all, and one that is definitely not worth taking!

Accessing "risk" is nothing more than collecting information,weighing the alternatives and then making appropriate decisionsbased on the information.

Some risks to our health are more "real" than others. Forexample, it is common knowledge that obesity is associated with awide variety of health problems. On the other hand, there aresome health risks that are so remote we rarely think about them.On a practical level, eating highly processed foods and avoidinga daily dose of fresh fruits and vegetables is rarely consideredserious. But, as too many have already discovered, the long rangeconsequences of this practice are real and devastating.

Failure to accurately assess risk limits us in many ways. Weimagine the "risk" of talking with our children about drugs,dating or sex and we put off having the "talk," even though therisks of NOT talking are infinitely greater. Fear of flying andpublic speaking are two more "risks" affecting millions ofpeople. But practically speaking, these fears are unfounded.People ride in cars every day, even though cars are far moredangerous than commercial aircraft! It's a failure to accuratelyassess risk, and it limits our health, prosperity and pleasure inlife.

The goods news is that failure to accurately access risk isreversible! The effects of those decisions to eat inappropriatelyor NOT to exercise are, as the common expression goes,"do-overs." We can effect positive change in our lives byfollowing a few simple steps to accurately access risk:

1. Accurately define your present situation and access yourhealth "risks". Are you eating a healthy diet? Are you gettingenough exercise and good quality sleep? What are the consequencesif you DON'T change? Weigh the benefits of healthier living vsthe potential risks such as increased cost, inconvenience ordiscomfort.

2. What do you stand to gain if you change your presentcircumstances? Assess the "up-side" potential. Too often we lookonly at the "downside" risk and forget the benefits. What goodthings might happen if you take the risk and win?

3. Limit the "down-side" if you happen to make a wrong decision.Don't continue down a path if it does not produce results. Thisis especially important when following weight loss programs. Ifthe pounds are not coming off or if the weight loss is onlytemporary, find a new program! You not only want to lose weight,but want to sustain the weight loss for as long as possible. Takesteps to ensure this will happen. Clear, concise, realisticobjectives will definitely help.

4. Reduce your risk by being smart! Understand the situation andseek the advice of experts in the field of health and nutrition.This includes finding and forming partnerships to receive supportand get good advice.

5. Have a fall-back position. If the decision you make fails toproduce the desired results, be prepared to take a long, hardlook at the circumstances and be prepared to change what you aredoing.

Everything in life involves some element of risk. Driving yourcar, meeting someone new, crossing the street...but we do themevery day. Winners in life are willing to accept the risk andcontinue on their way! Get involved, be smart about how you playthe game, come prepared for a few failures along the way, butdon't quite. You will reap the benefits for your effort and livea happier and healthier life. I like to remember the words of thegreat Winston Churchill when he said, "Never, never, never giveup!"

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.

Emily Clark is editor at Lifestyle Health News and Medical Health News where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on many medical, health and lifestyle topics.