Today let’s talk about Sabotage Thought Number 9, which is “You Only Live Once”. It’s very easy to give yourself permission to eat tempting foods and replace exercise sessions with more socializing, pleasurable leisure-time activities, and justify it by saying, “You only live once”. The problem is that a daily diet of self-indulgent behaviors, at the expense of important and fundamental wellness practices is the primary reason that overweight and obesity problems have sky-rocketed in recent years. In 1970, 9.7% of the Canadian population was obese (body mass index above 30). By 2011, 25.3% of Canadians had become obese. Presently 31% of Canadian kids are overweight or obese- another alarming statistic that can be found here: (https://globalnews.ca/news/4456664/obesity-in-canada/). As well, approximately 40% of Canadians aged 6 – 79 have high-cholesterol problems, as of 2011 ( http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-625-x/2012001/article/11732-eng.htm). More than 9 million Canadians now have diabetes or prediabetes. Approximately 90% of diabetics have type 2 diabetes. In 80% of cases, the individual is overweight at the time of the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. All of these problems are primarily brought about by following a lifestyle of daily indulgence.

It’s easy to give yourself permission to “give in” to temptations in the moment by saying “You only live once”. Only a killjoy person (like me) would argue with a statement like that. But the truth is, that continually reciting to yourself or others that “You only live once” as you once again consume high fat and/or sugary foods, drink a whole bottle of wine with a friend or mate, lounge around for hours not moving your body in any meaningful way, will all, over time, damage your health, your quality of life, and destroy your body shape. Deep down, you know that you have to be selective about when and where you “give in” to temptation.

You have to have a solid plan. Set goals on the wellness platform. Set up your daily wellness checklist and check the items off at the end of each day. Hold yourself accountable. When you hear yourself saying, “It’s too nice a day to exercise, or I don’t want to miss out on this special cake,” as an example, catch yourself in the moment. For most of us, the real aim isn’t to enjoy a few pleasures right now, but to build habits that make us happy over the long-term. Sometimes that means giving up something in the present or demanding more from ourselves. For me personally, I’m happier when I don’t eat the brownie or the cheesecake.

You may only live once, but I believe you’ll be much happier with yourself if you look after yourself properly and maintain a vibrant, fit body, avoid or reverse weight-gain problems, high-cholesterol problems, and type 2 diabetes.You’ll also likely have more years of being able to enjoy a highly functioning body and mind. It’s all within your control.

No one says you can’t cheat a bit, but the frequent permission slip of “You Only Live Once” is a sabotage thought that will impede your wellness success and set you up for health problems that I know you would rather avoid.

So I’ll continue to encourage you to eat smart and live well – and I know you’re going to look and feel great.

Dr. James Meschino
DC,MS, ROHP