Christi's Corner #7- My New Frontier

As an exercise instructor trainer, I am frequently asked to teach my training programs at fitness conferences around the world.  In February of 2006 I went to an exciting fitness conference in Taipei, Taiwan.  As usual, this event was four days of physical training, consulting with instructors, smiling for the cameras, and signing autographs.  I enjoyed every minute of it, but this particular trip was very hard on my body and mind.

The excessive physical training, the need to be “camera ready” every minute, as well as the adjustments my body needed to make due to change in climate, altitude, food, and sleep patterns, not to mention jet lag, really wore me out.  I returned home from this trip feeling as if I had aged 25 years in just the one week I was gone.  In desperation, I stopped by my local health food store.  Little did I know then that this visit would be the launch of “My New Frontier.”

I dragged myself into the store and was immediately assisted by the supplement specialist.  I told him that I had a list of symptoms and needed help.  I had even written them down on a piece of paper, alongside all of the supplements I thought I needed for each symptom.  I found out quickly that I wasn’t the first person to walk into that store with a list.

After a few minutes of chatting, I felt that he was trustworthy and really wanted to help me.  He told me many things, but the one bit of information that I will NEVER forget is when he told me that there are two types of people that come into the store.  There is the person that is looking to fix their ailments by buying products for each individual symptom, and there is the person that is willing to make diet, supplement, and behavior changes to address underlying health issues first and then deal with any leftover symptoms later.  Then he looked me in the eyes and asked, “Which person are you?”

That was an easy question.  I have always been the kind of person to deal with the underlying problem, even if it meant making uncomfortable changes in my life.   So I told him that I wanted to address my underlying health first and was willing to change my behavior and take the time to become an educated consumer; then I would see if there were any leftover ailments to address.  Since he didn’t know me and wanted to be sure he was truly dealing with a “behavior changer,” he moved in and asked me one more question.  He said, “Are you sure you want to know?  I ask because if you are willing, I can change your life.”  I paused for a moment, a little scared and a little excited all at the same time.  What is he really asking?  Is this a threshold, something a person crosses over and never goes back?  I love that kind of great adventure!  What does it take to cross that line?  Is it humbleness, willingness, desperation, all of the above?  I didn’t care; I just looked at him and said, “Okay, change my life!”  

The rest is history.  He took the list from my hand and began to walk me through the store, telling me the things I needed to add to my daily diet to improve my underlying health.  He not only told me how to add them, but he gave me literature and told me how much to use as well as how to increase my dosage, if necessary.  The best part was that none of these changes were in a “pill” form.  They were all food supplement additions and quality dietary alternatives. 

Then he sent me on my way, saying, “Come back in two weeks and tell me about your changed life.”  This was very enlightening for me because as a fitness professional I have always been the person telling others how to change their lives.  I loved being the student for once.  I was excited, to say the least!

So, I went home and did as I was told.  I added “this,” and deleted “that,” with excitement and anticipation.  Two weeks later I went looking for my “Supplement Specialist” because he really did change my life.  I can’t begin to tell you the difference.  Since then I have added a few more changes and additions and have never felt so lean, strong, awake, healthy, and pain-free.  I’m a believer!

What kind of person are you?  Do you take the path of least resistance and deal with symptoms without making inconvenient behavior changes, or do you prefer to tackle your behavior first before you begin spending money on magic pills?  Wow, that’s a deep question.  I think that sometimes we get so wound up in our daily activities that we don’t take the time to do our homework and become an informed consumer.  But this is our health we are talking about, right?  Without it, we have nothing! 

I challenge you today to step out of your busy lifestyle, be willing to change your habits, and do your homework - before you eat your next meal.  Also, be sure to stop by your local health food store.  They are changing lives every day, and yours could be next. You, too, can find your “New Frontier.”