Giving it 100%

Have you heard of the 100% rule? It’s simply, do it all the time because 99% is hard, 100% is easy. How could 1% make a big difference? Because you don’t get where you want to go when you don’t stick to it all the time.

For years, I tried to lose weight, but I couldn’t do it because I was only living 99% for health. Walking sometimes. Eating healthy most of the time (an occasional snack or high sugar dessert). It all added up to weight gain. I only went up one pant size–not too bad. But it impacted my health in a big way–getting sick often, staying sick longer than everyone else, being tired, joint pain, allergies out of control (even to wheat), inflammation skyrocketing. And on the edge of type 2 diabetes!

Some might call “Going 99%” as life in moderation, but it doesn’t give me success. It’s a yo-yo life–indulging one minute, eating healthy the next. I can’t make a clean break when I go 99%. And I always end up craving the foods that end up hurting me. I certainly don’t thrive or enjoy vibrant health. And that’s exactly what I want–to thrive. It’s like I’m in a race and I want to win it.

Why do some people succeed while others fail? Because they really commit to something! If you know anyone who is an athlete, you know they’re not into training half-the-time. It’s an all-out life for them. The apostle Paul once wrote, “Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it” (1 Corinthians 9:24)

All-out living isn’t restricted to physical fitness. If someone writes one best-selling book after another, you know they’re not sitting down to write every so often, or whenever they feel like it. If you know someone who’s built up a loyal YouTube following, you know they’re continually making the effort to put out new, unique content. It’s called commitment.

That’s what it takes if I want to be in the best health. I remember when I first discovered I was allergic to cow’s milk. “Oh no, not that!” I thought. Milk was my favorite food. My dad used to say, “You’d think we had a cow in the backyard the way you drink milk.” And of course that meant I loved anything with milk in it–ice cream, cheese, you name it. It was a tough allergy to handle. Every time I went to the grocery store, I felt the urge to give into my craving. “Just a little won’t be so bad,” I thought. But “going 99%” hit me with pain every time. Finally, the day came when I convinced myself that milk was a poison to my body. Just a simple message, but it freed me to be in health again. I committed to a dairy-free life and my health recovered.

I know it may be hard at first–to make any kind of switch in your diet. How can I live without cheese or fried chicken or cheesecake? Whatever it is that is sabotaging your health goals–I get it. It looks like too big a jump. But it will get easier–far easier–when you commit to it 100%. Try not to think of what you’re giving up but what you’re gaining. A life bursting with health. More energy, vitality, clear thinking, a smaller figure, stronger bones. I’ve even discovered greater peace in my life and a closer walk with God! There’s so many bonuses waiting for you when you give the plant-based lifestyle your all.

What fuels me on? Seeing progress. My allergies are shrinking, many of them are no more. My clothes are loose and baggy–the fat has been coming off. I’m not starving myself, I enjoy tasty meals, and I’m healthier now than I’ve ever been in my life. I can’t wait to get out walking everyday. Candy and chips don’t call to me at the checkout anymore. Health has way too many perks for me to go back to the old 99%. I’m in 100%!