Do What You’re Told.

Today I got to go to the dentist. Aren’t I lucky? I actually really like my dentist. He is a family friend, and he does a really great job. I just don’t like the dentist in general. Make sense? Good. So today was time for the fabulous bi-annual check up, in which the hygienist tells me I need to floss more and then sends me out the door with a return appointment to get my cavity(s) filled. Dread.

Well, at my last cleaning, my hygienist and I got into a conversation about how I should floss more, which lead into a conversation about how she should exercise more. We both began to laugh a little, and promised that next time we saw each other we would DECIDE to do what we were told. It’s kinda funny how our jobs are fairly similar.
At her job, she gives people the preventative advice they need to save themselves the pain of cavities and mouth issues. Those people then go forward deciding if they want to brush, floss, etc. They know that if they would floss and brush everyday they will be more than likely to remain cavity-less.
At my job, I give my clients advice they need to lose weight, achieve positive health, feel better, and look better. They then leave with the information I give them and decide if they want to follow or not. They know if they do so, they will see positive results. If they don’t, things will either stay the same or possibly worsen.

WELL. I will have you know…since my last cleaning, I took her challenge to heart. I did what I was told. I flossed every night, and brushed with my Sonicare. I put the good habits the dentist recommended into practice. I felt reeeaal good going into my appointment today knowing I did what I was told to do. I didn’t have to cross my fingers, and hope that my few days last ditch efforts at flossing made up for the prior six months I hadn’t flossed. (Let’s be clear that I am an obsessive teeth-brusher. Call me a germ-a-phobe, but I don’t like putting my hands in my mouth…hence…I hate flossing.)

Good news…All my hard work paid off. Aside from one minor little spot he was worried about, the Doc said he could tell my flossing and brushing habits were MUCH better. YAY! The hygienist confessed that she felt bad she hadn’t lived up to her end of the deal, and next time I came in she was going to be able to report that she had been exercising four times a week.

BOTTOM LINE: 
– I still don’t like the dentist.
– When you put the principles of good habits into action…good things happen.
– Consistency with GOOD habits will help you to achieve positive results. AKA: You can’t floss the night before the dentist and expect them not to notice your plaque buildup. You can’t exercise for one day and expect your weight to drop dramatically the next day. It just DOES NOT work that way. Consistency. 
– Do what you are told. (when you know it is good advice)

What positive practices have you turned into good habits? Do you hate going to the dentist as much as I do?