Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.  Albert Einstein

How many of us are making new year resolutions and at the top of most people’s list is “Lose 40 pounds” which two years ago was “Lose 30 pounds” and five years ago was “Lose 20 pounds.”  Many of us did lose those 20 pounds to gain back 30 pounds…which means that we really did not change our body composition or get healthier; we only added additional stress to our system.

And then the witch doctor, he told me what to do.  He said that … Ooo eee, ooo ah ah ting tang walla walla, bing bang.  This is what most people including those in the medical-health profession and food industry know about Wellness. A couple of notable exceptions in the medical field are of course (name dropping) Dr. Oz and Dr. Matt Sleeth.   Billions of dollars are spent every year on instant gratification plans, gym memberships, diet and exercise products and the latest guru gimmick as people watch more reality show television and the financial burden and stress they are carrying gets heavier in direct proportion to their body weight as they feel worse mentally, emotionally and physically.

Wellness is the opposite of Loss. It is an insult to Mind, Body and Spirit to be classified as a loser or less.  Losing is a fighting-hurting energy word which brings up natural resistance in our mind, body and spirit and sets us up for failure because we are at war within ourselves.  Who needs outside abusers when we are quite capable of abusing ourselves and there are plenty of outside forces ready to assist us in becoming “losers” or “less.”

Anytime you hear the word “Weight-Loss” be aware that is not a wellness concept.  Loss of any type inflicts pain causing stress hormones to be released into the body making it weaker and less able to carry out natural functions.  Given the proper amount of clean nutrition, the body will naturally go into its genetically determined size and muscle composition according to bone structure.

WELLNESS OF THE BODY & EARTH STARTS WITH LOVE & RESPECT. Wellness is not about competition.  Wellness is not about inflicting pain or stress in any form.   Wellness is not about taking a feel good pill whether it is a prescription drug, over the counter drug or vitamin supplement.  Wellness is a lifestyle rather than instant gratification with individual changes that will change the world in which you live.

WELLNESS CENTERS

At this time of the year we are bombarded with advertisements, offers and promotions from all types of business promising to fix and save us while making us beautiful.  This is the reality game show version of life where everyone is competing and there is only one big winner…the one who gets your money.  The question is where to find a real Wellness Center that will assist you in making changes with integrity.  This is where you ask questions and take personal responsibility for your wellness and that of your family.

There is not a cookie-cutter program or drug that fits every occasion and there is not one program or supplement or drug that fixes and saves everyone.  The first step in any process is starting where we are right now…that means evaluating your present lifestyle and the condition of your body.  This is best accomplished with such tools as a complete history including any drugs which you might be taking, Seven Day Food Chart, BIA, Blood Analysis, and Salvia Hormone Analysis.   With this information, a Wellness Practitioner can do a lifestyle and nutritional analysis with an individualized Wellness Plan based on the results of the complete evaluation.  This evaluation cannot be completed on the internet or with questionnaires.

WELLNESS SUPPORT GROUPS

Support is the main reason that most people are not successful in making wellness changes in their lifestyle.  Wellness is not supported by the advertising media, the medical profession, the food industry or those with a vested interest in selling artificial products and services.  Just as support groups have been proven to be the most effective means of making lifestyle changes with addictions, everyone needs the love and compassion of a support group in making wellness lifestyle changes.  Support is frequently not given by family or friends because they are also addicted to the same artificial substances and changes mean that they are also moved out of their comfort zone.

What if…every Church and community had a Living Well Support Group which was open to everyone on a love offering basis?  Each week, there would be a different practical instructive program on wellness through environmental sustainability, social justice and spiritual fulfillment.   Wellness is a learned skill that must be practiced daily and what better place to learn this skill than a loving support group.

Through the Living Well Support Group accurate information could be shared on locating real Wellness Practitioner,  products that are environmentally sustainable eliminating the use of toxic building materials and cleaning supplies in our homes,  supporting locally grown food, clean air, pure water, and eliminating addictive food ingredients that are affecting behavior of both adults and children.

Please contact me for more information on Wellness Practitioners and Living Well Support Groups.

Love, Light & Lots of Laughter…Joa