#468: Can You Make a Decision?

Every day we make dozens, maybe hundreds of decisions. Some we make by rote -- the time to set the alarm, what time to leave work, whether to pick up the kids at their activities and on and on -- while other decisions require us to choose between alternatives.

At the grocery store we make decisions on what and how much to buy. We decide which gas station to stop at on the way home. We decide which route to take and whether or not we should drop off library books on the way to the store or on the way back home.

Are you conscious of the multitude of decisions you make each day? You're pretty confident making these decisions, aren't you?

So then, if you are quite experienced in making decisions, why is it so difficult to decide to have a healthy meal instead of an unhealthy one? Why is it so difficult to do some exercises instead of flopping in front of the TV?

Oh, we rationalize we don't have time so it's okay to run through the fast-food drive up "just this once." And we rationalize that we're too tired to do any exercises because we had a long day and have to get up early the next day.

But far too often we do not decide to eat healthy or exercise in the same manner we make decisions about the rest of our lives.

Why are these two choices so hard for us? Don't we want to lose weight and become healthier, maybe get off of some of our medications, wear smaller sized clothes, receive compliments and feel proud of ourselves? Don't we want that?

Then let's decide, now, today, and with every meal we face that we will choose a healthy alternative to fat, grease, cholesterol and sugar and let's decide right now that we will take time to stretch, walk and move around. We know deciding to do these things is for our own good so why do we hesitant and make excuses to try to justify eating poorly and remaining sedentary?

These are simple decisions -- the donut at work or perhaps a healthy alternative of fruit or yogurt -- sitting in the recliner watching TV or walking around the block.

Simple decisions, yet we make them so much more difficult than the variety of other decisions we make every single day.

Why is that?