3 DAM Steps To Better Health

A lot of people I talk to don't know where to start their wellness journey. So, they end up starting in the wrong place.

They go straight to extreme options like Crossfit or a Keto diet, or they just don't do anything.

Well, here are 3 DAM steps I've discovered work the best to get you started (and staying) on the right path.

Step 1: D = Discover what's really getting in your way.

You know what? It's probably not what you think it is. Find the source of what's stopping you from being as healthy as you want. It's is a critical first step.

For example, George (not his real name) found out that his health struggle had nothing to do with a lack of willpower. Once we started asking the right questions, he discovered that his negative behaviors stemmed from his belief that being healthy was too hard so why even try. I gave him examples of people I worked with who were getting healthy with a few minor tweaks in their day and who never stepped foot in the gym. That "ah-ha" moment was just what he needed to get motivated and free himself from the log jam.

Step 2: A = Assess your current health assets & liabilities.
This means creating a balance sheet that identifies your strengths and potential risks. It should be a one page snapshot of your health, shining a light on any gaps that might exist. When I do these, I like to look at 3 categories of information about you: biometrics (numbers), behavior-metrics (habits), and brain-metrics (mindset).

If we look at George's situation again, he asked me what he should be doing to see the best results. When I answered, "I don't know," he was shocked. How could an exercise physiologist and certified health coach who does this for a living not know? Well, it's because I couldn't make a recommendation until I knew his current health situation. Wellness is not a one-size-fits all. Even though George told me his doctor said all his blood work came back normal, I noticed that he had a family history of diabetes and a thickening midsection. Therefore, we needed to put a plan in place to manage his blood sugar as a primary objective. He wasn't diabetic, yet, but he was on the path headed in that direction.

Step 3: M = Make a plan.
Design a blueprint that lays out a plan of action to protect & grow your health. It should be personalized to you, taking into account your roadblocks, goals, balance sheet, life stage, career, and preferences. Not only that, but it should work with the systems of the body to make it easy to get healthy.

Like most of my clients, George had no interest in going to the gym to exercise. So, if we laid out a plan that included gym sessions, he would not be happy or successful. Instead, we introduced small concepts that continually ramped up over time until one day when he came to me and said, "I've lost 25 lbs and don't even feel like I've tried." Yes. That's how it should feel. Easy, happy, and in alignment with your life.

So there you have it. Follow these 3 DAM steps to improve your health and start growing wellthy just like George did.

Keep growing wellthy!
~ Stevyn

(Ping me if you want me to help you with step 1.)

Stevyn Guinnip, MS, CWC is the wellness coach for financial folks™. She's a financial advisor's daughter and a 20-year veteran as an exercise physiologist. Stevyn is the CEO & Wellth Advisor at Grow Wellthy™ and the creator of proprietary wellness coaching program called the Wellth Academy™. You can reach Stevyn for an application to the academy, podcast interviews, or speaking inquiries at [email protected].