May 3, 2010

Spin Your Wheels

Whether it's from my clients, my friends, or even my own Mom, I am constantly being asked for advice on fitness and nutrition.  Common questions about what to eat, how to exercise, and what wellness skills are most important are often on the minds of those trying to make healthy changes to their lives.

At bene-fit, we will never tell you to "do as I say, not as I do."  We embrace a holistic wellness lifestyle, and we teach that regular physical activity, an individualized and functional diet, and maintaining healthy habits (such as adequate sleep and stress management) are the keys to long-term health.  However, it is not always clear what aspects of a person's life need the most help.

We offer you this great tool for assessing your own wellness needs - it's called the Wheel of Life.  The basics are this: consider each of the eight pieces of the "pie" and then rank your current lifestyle (1-8, 1 being the most high-functioning part of your life and 8 being the least) in terms of these categories.  Go ahead - give it a spin!



bene-fit asks you to think about where "health" falls in your rankings.  We don't advocate that it has to be #1 for everyone, but where you place your health among the other priorities of your life can key you in to what might be stopping you from reaching your best self.

For example, if your health falls below your need for "fun/recreation," it might be a sign that your current routine has gotten stale.  Try taking a new exercise class or buying a cookbook for a cuisine you've always wanted to try.  If your health doesn't rank as highly as your desire for "romance," perhaps you want to try exercising alongside your spouse or partner or joining a matchmaker group like FitnessSingles.  If "money" is getting in the way of your health, quit your gym membership and take your workout outdoors, and try to make more healthy meals at home to save that critical cash.

As the ancient Indian text Sama Veda advises, "anybody desirous of success should spend some time in introspection and contemplation."  This week, take some time for yourself to reevaluate your priorities, consider your life choices, and begin to chart out ways to make your long-term goals reality.