Most of us already know what’s good for us and what is not when it comes to our health —so why don’t we actually do it? It’s not entirely your fault or a lack of willpower. We live in a society designed for convenience, where movement is optional and effort is often bypassed. Food is available in seconds—ordered with a few clicks or heated in a microwave. Life has been engineered to be easy, but that ease often comes at the expense of our health.
What’s interesting is that exercise and things like sugary, high-fat foods both activate the same reward centres in the brain. The difference? One requires effort, the other doesn’t. So, in the moment, the donut often wins over the workout. We tend to choose what feels good now and push aside the long-term consequences.
But our choices don’t just affect us—they impact the people around us. Second-hand smoke is a clear example: individuals who have never smoked can still develop lung cancer or conditions like COPD simply from being exposed over time. It’s a reminder that our habits ripple outward.
It’s also easy to believe “it won’t happen to me.” Yet time and time again in my career, I’ve seen two people with the same diagnosis take completely different paths. One commits to lifestyle changes—nutrition, movement, habits—and is able to maintain or even improve their condition. The other leans solely on medication, thinking there’s always a pill for it. But years later, when that medication is no longer enough, they’re faced with more serious interventions—and only then begin trying to make changes or are sadly no longer here on this earth.
The truth is, it’s never too late to start living a healthier lifestyle—but it does get harder to reverse damage the longer we wait. At some point, the goal may shift from reversing to simply managing or slowing progression.
We’ve all seen that one person who seems to defy the odds—poor habits, yet they live a long life. But those are exceptions, not the rule. The question is: do you really want to gamble on being the exception?
Taking action now isn’t just about today—it’s about protecting your future and possibly a loved one. Healthy habits can reduce your risk of conditions you may be genetically predisposed to, and they can even lessen the impact of environmental exposures around you. Early action doesn’t just change outcomes—it makes the journey easier.
So, which lottery do you want to play—the one based on chance, or the one where your daily choices stack the odds in your favour?
If you’re ready to stop leaving your health up to chance and start taking control, we at DEEM Health & Fitness are here to help. You can choose to live living—or slowly live dying—the difference comes down to the actions you take every day.
Whether you need guidance with nutrition, training, or building sustainable habits, we’ll meet you where you’re at and create a plan that works for your life. Don’t wait for a wake-up call—start now. Reach out to us today and take that first step toward truly living, with strength, energy, and purpose… receiving those same good donut vibes—without the donut
Mikkie Nettles-Pollon, Certified Personal Trainer/Holistic & Sports Nutritionist
Not sure where to begin, contact me at info@deemhealth.ca
250-541 -0411.
www.deamhealth.ca
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