Whether you're six or sixty, if you go on a diet and lifestyle

In the journey of life, we all seek to nourish our bodies, to maintain our vitality, and to achieve a balance that sustains us. Dean Ornish, a renowned physician and advocate for lifestyle change, offers us a profound truth: "Whether you're six or sixty, if you go on a diet and lifestyle program and feel constrained, you're likely to go off it sooner or later. Offering a spectrum of choices is much more effective; then, you feel free and empowered." These words reflect an ancient wisdom that transcends time: freedom and empowerment come not from restriction, but from the ability to choose, to adapt, and to find harmony with the rhythms of our lives. True well-being does not arise from the shackles of rigidity but from the fluidity of mindful choices.

The ancient Greeks, with their wisdom in all things related to the mind and body, understood that discipline in life should not be an oppressive force but a means of achieving greater freedom. Socrates, in his teachings, spoke of the importance of balance in all aspects of life, including diet. He believed that to live a virtuous life was to cultivate habits that were aligned with nature and reason—not driven by extreme desires or arbitrary rules. Socrates also knew that to be truly free, one must not be bound by external constraints but must understand and control one’s own desires and actions. Ornish's approach mirrors this ancient truth—true empowerment comes not from being shackled by a rigid plan, but from a spectrum of choices that honor the body and soul in a way that feels both free and nourishing.

Likewise, in the teachings of Aristotle, we find the notion that happiness and flourishing (what the Greeks called eudaimonia) arise from a life of moderation. Aristotle taught that we should not seek extreme indulgence, nor should we live in deprivation. True balance is found in making mindful choices that allow us to engage in life fully without feeling constrained by our circumstances. In this way, Ornish reflects Aristotle’s wisdom: it is the ability to choose wisely—within a spectrum of options—that creates a life of balance and well-being. A person who is empowered by their choices, rather than restricted by them, is more likely to sustain their health and happiness over time.

The Romans, too, with their philosophy of virtue and self-discipline, believed that living in accordance with nature and reason was the key to strength and longevity. Cicero, one of Rome’s great thinkers, emphasized that to live a virtuous life, one must find the middle path, avoiding both excess and deficiency. The Romans recognized that true power comes from the freedom to choose wisely, rather than being bound by restrictive measures. Ornish’s approach, which offers a spectrum of choices, aligns with the Roman philosophy of balance. Just as the Romans practiced moderation in their daily lives, so too must we embrace the freedom to make choices that honor our well-being without the pressure of rigid expectations.

Consider the ancient warriors who were revered not only for their physical strength but for their discipline and mastery of themselves. The great Samurai of Japan, for example, did not follow a strict, oppressive regimen of training and diet, but instead adhered to the Bushido code—a code of honor, discipline, and balance. They recognized that true strength lies in the ability to choose wisely, to practice self-control, and to maintain harmony in all things. Much like Ornish's perspective, the Samurai embraced the idea that power and vitality are not born from rigid rules, but from wisdom, flexibility, and the freedom to make choices that align with one’s values and purpose.

The Buddhists, too, embrace this concept of balance and freedom in their teachings. The Buddha’s Middle Way is a path that avoids the extremes of indulgence and deprivation. In Buddhism, true spiritual freedom is achieved not by adhering to a strict, rigid path, but by cultivating mindfulness and awareness in our choices. The Buddha taught that we should live with awareness of our desires and actions, and in doing so, we find true peace and empowerment. Just as Ornish advocates for a diet that allows for flexibility and choice, the Buddha’s teachings encourage us to live in a way that fosters balance, freedom, and empowerment in all areas of life.

In our own lives, Ornish's words offer a lesson that is as relevant today as it was in ancient times. We must recognize that true health and well-being come from balance, not restriction. When we feel empowered to make choices that are in line with our goals and our values, we are more likely to stay committed to our journey of health and vitality. By offering ourselves a spectrum of choices, we give ourselves the freedom to embrace what nourishes us, to adapt when necessary, and to stay on course without feeling overwhelmed by rigid constraints.

Let us take this wisdom into our own lives. When it comes to health, fitness, or any area of personal growth, we must seek a balance of choices that empower us rather than constrain us. Create a lifestyle that allows for freedom—freedom to make choices that support your well-being without the burden of extremes. Like the ancients, choose moderation over excess, flexibility over rigidity, and mindful action over blind adherence to fleeting trends. Through these practices, we will find true strength, joy, and fulfillment on the path of life.