As a physician, I always encourage patients to make lifestyle changes to improve their health. We aren't able to change our genetic makeup, but we should choose what we eat more carefully because the right foods may be able to prevent kidney disease.

I think most of us can think of an example of something we'd like to "arrive" at. For example, many individuals who want to lose weight have a specific number in mind. And that once they get to that number, their weight loss, and participation in a program, will stop.

In my experience as a physician, patients that "diet" often see their weight fluctuate up and down the scale. This reflects the nature of a diet. Many diets are extreme and not sustainable.

It's really hard to see incremental change, both positive and negative. As a result, it's really easy to lose hope on the healthy lifestyle wagon, since it is so difficult to see any instantly measurable difference.

Be open to where you're led, even if it makes no sense and is completely out of line with who you believe yourself to be in this moment. Lean into it: dabble, play and explore.

Before putting all of your energy (literally) into your workouts, be sure that you are prepping yourself by eating the foods that provide you with the nutrients your body needs. A successful pairing of exercise and nutrition is not beyond your reach!

With this past weekend being the unofficial start to the holiday season, are you going to write off your diet and exercise routine as a thing of the past, or are you committed to giving your body a chance to see how it feels internally from a light detox?

Let's continue our exploration of cravings. In my last post, we discussed how stress causes us to crave carbs. I also mentioned that sometimes, simply being hungry will do the same since carbs readily convert to glucose.

Do you go off of the wagon when you are hungry and have nothing to eat? Do you realize you're starving and the only food available is something you'd prefer not to eat but "it'll have to do?" These are the times that you are most vulnerable to sabotaging your hard-won efforts.

As you contemplate making a change, I invite you to find one or more people who will wholeheartedly be on your side. Then tell them what you are up to, and ask (out loud!) if they will help you through any rough spots.

If you've begun to make a lifestyle change -- a new diet, exercise routine, stress reduction activity, or anything else -- consider that there will be times when you may need or want to get off your lifestyle wagon.

How do we confront making changes, particularly with food choices? First of all, I don't use the word "diet." It implies you need to "die" to do it, which does not inspire me at all.

In my practice I have seen that people generally make lifestyle changes in one of two ways. Neither is right or better. However, it is valuable to know what group you fall into so that you can plot the best course for making changes.

I've juiced everything that grows and everything seems to go with everything else. Fruits go with vegetables and vegetables go with other vegetables. Herbs fit right in as do fresh ginger, garlic, and onions.

It's not every day that you hear a medical doctor suggest that lifestyle changes can be a form of treatment that can reverse -- not just help prevent ...

By watching the cycles in our lives we can become mindful of how our actions naturally lead to larger consequences. One can begin to see the wisdom of small actions.

deepakchopra.com ...

There are times when life can overwhelm even the most optimistic people. Thankfully, there are some ways you can make your situation bearable.

Well, it's time: time to get off the coach, rev your engines and make this the year that you don't look back (and look down and see your toes for the first time in a while); the year that you get...and stay fit.