Wellness is a choice

The state of your health, good or otherwise, depends on many different factors. Those factors include everything from heredity to lifestyle choices.

You won't find the word "wellness" in your dictionary, but you will find well-being, well-fed, well-grounded and well-rounded. You could say all those "wells" add up to having a "wellness" attitude.

In our quest to become thin, we've gone from the extreme of shunning fat grams to banning carbohydrates and forgetting the nutritional beauty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

There's a lot of so-called rules and so many gimmicks that diet books, "fat-burning" pills, and supplements have become profitable industries of their own.

There's no magic pill or creative food combination that will take off 30 pounds of fat overnight, nor are there quick fix-its to remedy heart disease, diabetes and all the other ailments that can invade our bodies.

Many of these diseases can be directly related to how we live our lives. They may result from what we smoke, drink and eat. It's impossible to replace a damaged body once we get tired of the one we have. You can't trade it in like an old Chevy or Ford.

Yet, with all this "dieting" going on, obesity is at an all-time high in the United Staes. And, the health problems related to being overweight are many. Obesity is linked to unhealthy blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea and degenerative-joint disease.

Americans love "quick fixes." Many will attempt an inviting shortcut in lieu of changing lifestyle habits that require patience, awareness and a high degree of internal motivation.

We spend billions of dollars on diet programs and gimmicky remedies to achieve unrealistic results. Those fast results are usually short-lived and haven't fixed a thing but decrease the money in your wallet.

Young women like to compare themselves unfavorably with today's ultra-thin fashion models and celebrities. While the American mantra cries out "thinner is better," the nation continues to spin out of balance between anorexia and compulsive overeating.

Setting an example of wellness has to start in the home and if parents are practicing risky behaviors, the children will likely follow in familiar footsteps.

To get through life in as healthy a state as reasonably possible, there has to be a pride of ownership.

It isn't arrogance or being better than anyone else, it just has to do with personal responsibility.

If losing weight is your goal, focus on achieving a body that is well-toned and healthy. Take your time, become nutritionally informed and get physically involved.

Balance good nutrition with a moderate amount of physical activity. Focus on being healthy, not thin.

When you become physically healthier, your body begins to tell you what it needs. Your increased well-being will be a healthy motivator for continuing to practice what makes you feel so good. Your body may occasionally scream for a hot fudge sundae and it's okay to indulge and enjoy the moment.

Being healthy doesn't mean being perfect or obsessed with fat grams or carbohydrates. It just means that your good health is a priority and that it requires regular maintenance, tune-ups and an occasional overhaul.

"Wellness" is a state of mind and body. It means you feel good most of the time and that aside from unpredictable life events and crises, you'll rise to the occasion when needed. You have to take care of yourself in order to take care of life's business.

Just as a successful business needs a sound business plan in order to grow and prosper … so does your body.

You can't change the genes you inherited, but you can make the best of what you have by following a healthy business plan.

Good health doesn't just happen to you. It happens because of you.