Often times in life, it is so easy to blame anything and everything for things that go wrong.  We are all quick to point the finger at situations, circumstances, and even other people that might have caused our problems.  Very rarely ,at least for me, do we blame ourselves for our hardships.  I feel that bad health is one area of life that we are very quick to play the blame game.  So often it is fast food, poor medical care, various diseases and ailments, environmental factors, or a myriad of other factors that take the rap for our poor health.  I am totally aware that in some cases, these factors can be totally true and can be a big contributor to bad health.  However, so many times it is our own fault, we just don’t want to admit it.

I get it.  Believe me.  I don’t like to take the blame for things just as much as the next guy.  Is there anyone that really enjoys saying they’re wrong and it’s all their fault?  I don’t think so.  But more and more, we are not taking responsibility for our actions when it comes to health and that is hurting us more than helping us.  By constantly passing the buck, we can feel less motivated to step up and make a change.  It can get easier and easier to feel like we have no power over the food we put in our mouths, the lack of movement we make throughout our day, or way to change our current circumstance.  Our health no longer becomes our problem; it’s somebody else’s issue to deal with.  If someone could get rid of all the fast food restaurants, then you could be healthy.  If someone made fresh and organic food affordable and easily available, then you could be healthy.  If someone could make getting access to health professionals easier and less expensive, then you could be healthier.  If someone could get an inexpensive fitness center in your neighborhood, then you could be healthier.

That someone?  It’s you.  All the excuses need to stop.  They waste time and they accomplish nothing.   I don’t expect you to revolutionize the health world and make a change for everyone.  I do expect you to revolutionize YOUR health and make a change for YOU.  Accept responsibility for your actions and your choices.  Will all fast food restaurants ever disappear?  Not likely.  Can you make the choice to eat something else?  Absolutely.  Will organic food become cheaper than conventional and pop up in every single grocery store across America?  Maybe some day.  Can you make the best possible decisions while grocery shopping and still eat a nutritious and healthy diet?  Of course you can.  Will you be able to workout and train like all the A-list celebrities?  Perhaps if you win the lottery.  Can you find free and simple ways to workout?  Definitely.  There are ways to make a healthy lifestyle work for every person, you just have to be willing to do the work and stop passing the blame to someone else.

Like I said before, I know that there are some situations where there is no way you can take responsibility for health problems.  I don’t want to make anyone feel bad or guilty.  I just believe that the more you try and take control of your health, the better off you will be.  When you take charge of your actions and health decisions, then your health starts to become a priority.  I don’t expect you to do it all on your own either.  Ask for help and guidance along the way!  Find people who have successfully changed their health for the better and see how they did it.  Read health blogs, articles, magazines, or books and start implementing their tips or advice.  If it works, keep it.  If it doesn’t, move on and try something new.  The more ownership you start to take of your health, the more you want it to keep improving.  Don’t get discouraged, get empowered to start taking steps in a healthier direction!