Most humans are born healthy, free of disease. No one sets out on the journey through life with designs on losing his or her health. On becoming obese. To spend the last half of life in a wheelchair. On dying prematurely.

But these things are happening increasingly today. Despite all the scientific advancements in medicine and diagnostic technologies, chronic degenerative disease is still rampant in society.

Why?

Whether you want to admit to it or not, you are responsible for your own life. In every dimension. You are responsible for the quality of your happiness, your finances, your relationships, and your health.

Your state of health at this very moment is the sum of all the decisions you have made in your lifetime up to and including today. You are the sum of all the choices you have made that have impacted the state of the cells in your body.

Habits

More than your choices, it is your habits that most determine your quality of health today.

It’s not the fact you ate that piece of cheesecake today. That act on its own will have a zero effect on your health. It’s the ‘grande double caramel mochaccino’ every afternoon that’ll get you. It’s eating processed foods every day. Walking around constantly dehydrated. It’s the lack of exercise.

Conversely, the habits of eating real whole foods, regular exercise, regular positive social interaction, learning about the health dangers lurking all around you — these are the habits that can positively shape your health and significantly increase the probability of a long, quality life.

It matters not how old you are or your present state of health. Start today to make better daily choices. Small choices like setting aside time every day for exercise or promising yourself to eat an extra vegetable a day can get the ball rolling.

Build on that success and incorporate more empowering habits into your life. By doing this, you can reshape your future.

At the end of the day, whether you are healthy or not, you are a self-made man by virtue of your life choices.