My beautiful mama, age 40

The Road to a Healthier You

is Paved With Incremental Change
by Amber Barry

MSNBC recently reported that, according to a U.N. study, nearly two-thirds of deaths in the world are caused by noncommunicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart and lung disease. The article (link below) speaks of the "staggering economic burden" of noncommunicable diseases such as cancer and diabetes. The commentary left me wondering how the global economy will survive, if, as the U.N. projects, deaths from noncommunicable diseases practically double by the year 2030. What financial hardships will our children's generation will face when they have families of their own? And what about the emotional costs? How do we quantify the psychological impact of 52 million people losing their lives in a single year, to ailments that could have been reduced or eliminated through simple lifestyle changes?

Have you ever lost a loved one, to disease that could have been prevented, or do you know someone who has? Few experiences cut quite as deep as tragedy that could be avoided. I lost my Mom, pictured above at age 40, to ovarian cancer fourteen years ago, when she was only 56 years young. Although we will never know what caused the disease, I can't help but wonder if things might have been different if she had lived a healthier lifestyle. She was many wonderful things, in addition to being a fantastic mother: lawyer, race car driver (she had a classic Porsche that she loved to take up to crazy speeds), pilot, painter, writer, and 1/3 of an a cappella trio called "The Grace Notes". But she was also a yo-yo dieter, Dr. Pepper die-hard, and dessert lover who rarely exercised, and never once made me a salad. I don't fault her for that, but for her sake and mine, I can't help but wish she had found a passion for good health before it was too late.

I miss my Mom every day. She died much too soon, never had the chance to hold any of her six grandchildren, and left me with an enormous void in my life. For those reasons and so many more, I am committed to doing everything in my power to stay around as long as I can for my children. My interest in nutrition and yoga began when I graduated from college in 1993, but it quickly evolved into a lifelong passion for healthier living, when Mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 1995.

The most important lesson I have learned on this journey is that small modifications, implemented with awareness, have the power to transform your life forever.If you want to live a healthier life, commit to one new healthy habit a week, and stay focused on being successful in that one thing until it "sticks". What I know now, that I wish I had known before, is that incremental change is the secret to sustainable wellness.

If you are ready to move in a healthier direction, start adding one new healthy habit to your routine each week. Leave a large water bottle by your bedside each night, and rehydrate as soon as you wake. Or try to touch your toes for a full minute, twice a day, and keep practicing until you get there. Calculate how many grams of sugar you consumed today, and try to cut that number in half for each of the next ten days. Think "baby steps". Create reminders on your calendar, and tell your friends and family about it! They can be great cheerleaders, and help you stay on track. Before you know it, you WILL be doing everything in your power to be the best you can be for the ones you love. And a year from now, you will have adopted 52 new healthy principles to guide your life.

If it seems like too much, or if you struggle to put yourself first (as many of us do), then do it for the people that love you, and would be heartbroken to lose you as a spouse, parent, sibling, or friend. And don't forget that the behavior you model sets an example for everyone around you: your spouse, children, coworkers, and neighbors. You are more powerful than you know, and your small changes could lead to exponential changes in those around you.

Your health is a gift, given to you without cost and unconditionally, but that does not mean you can take it for granted. It can be your greatest asset, if you respect and nurture it. As Elizabeth Gilbert says in her book, Eat Pray Love, "You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings." It costs you nothing to drink water instead of soda, order a salad instead of a cheeseburger, or take a walk during your lunch break. What will it cost if you don't?

MSNBC Article: UN Reports Cancer, Diabetes Kill Millions, Cost Trillions Annually http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43473027/ns/health-diabetes/t/un-cancer-diabetes-kill-millions-cost-trillions-globally/