Faulty Advice

If you want to sell health, just tell people exactly what they want to hear. Want to sell a diet pill? Just tell people that it will make them skinny in "just a few weeks...err...months"...that it's okay to take them even though you continue with the same diet that you are on...that it's okay to accept the fact that you do not have to exercise and stay sedentary as long as you are on the pill.

Want to sell a personal achievement book? Tell people that it's okay to fail. In fact, it's definitely okay to fail one, two, three or more times, then you sure do have a bestseller. Congrats!

Throughout my life, I must say that - my parents withstanding, I have received more faulty advice than good. Now I realize that most people will not admit that, but I am not most people (or even similar to most people). The good news is that I was smart enough NOT to follow "faulty input."

Most people dish out advice that makes them (those dishing out advice) feel good. They'll tell you that it's okay to eat like crap, that you can continually smoke and drink alcohol and not get sick, or that you are entitled to feed your kids what they want just because it is the "right thing to do." Just look at their circumstances and you will automatically understand from which direction comes the faulty advice.

Taking that advice makes you weak.

When you express "concerns" with regards to faulty advice, the response is often returned with belittlement - almost as if the deliverer of that advice were suggesting that they are in fact, right.

Just because they tell you that you should not deprive your kids or your body of McFastFood does not mean that you are a bad parent or person. Should you apologize for it because you do not want your son or daughter to become morbidly obese and lethargic? Do you need to apologize yourself for being smart enough to make healthy food choices and not eat crap?

Many of you have bad judgment that is perpetuated by your environment (often times by your peers or even your spouse). You need to break that chain that bind you or else you will live an unfulfilled healthy life (or in certain cases other areas of your life). I promise.

You have to remember: Just because they do it does not mean they are smart.

They spend hours in front of a television. They like to eat food that poisons their body. They smoke, drink wine and beer. They like to tell you that in order to live life...do what they like.

Most of the "faulty advice" that you receive in life is from them, and most of the advice you receive is not quality information. When someone makes you feel bad or guilty for being concerned or reasonable, first consider the underlying source of information. Understanding someone's circumstances is a good way to ward off faulty advice. 

Bottom Line: Think and do your research before you act when it comes to your health. Your kids are precious human beings and please be smart about your choices not just in health - but also in life.

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