The moment you think you’ve got it all figured out is the moment you need to scrap it all and start again.

Dogma is a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true. It serves as part of the primary basis of an ideology or belief system, and it cannot be changed or discarded without affecting the very system’s paradigm, or the ideology itself.

There’s dogma surrounding nearly everything in life. When it comes to health, we all have dogma. It is inevitable. We have principles or sets of principles that we believe to be true. Whether it is from our doctors, friends, family or the Internet, this ideology and belief system impacts how we make choices and live our life.

Although some of us share similar dogmas, we all have a unique perspective on the world. We have different journeys, experiences, education and goals and therefore our own individualized dogmas. No matter what your dogma is it needs to be challenged. No set of principles is worth anything if it can’t withstand some challenge.

How can you really know that everything you think to be true is in fact true?

You can’t. I’m all for settling in to a set of beliefs and rolling with what works but we all need to make sure we question our “truths” every once in a while. Dogmas are a double edged sword. Helpful and hindering all wrapped into one.

I challenge everyone to challenge their dogmas.

Plant based diets are the healthiest.
Fat makes you fat.
Saturated fat gives you heart disease.
Carbs make you fat.
Vegetables are good for you.
Dairy is good for you.
Dairy is bad for you.
Salt is bad for you.
Sugar is bad.
High fructose corn syrup is bad.
Grains are the staple of a healthy diet.
Wheat is bad.
Running helps you lose weight/get in shape.
Running is bad.
You need to exercise to be healthy.
If cavemen didn’t do it, neither should we.
Cholesterol is bad.

If you think any of these (or whatever else) to be true it’s time to challenge your dogma.

Prove yourself wrong. If you do, then learn and adapt. If you can’t prove yourself wrong, congrats. You’re on the right track. Now challenge another one of your beliefs. Nobody’s got it all figured it out.

I love challenging what I know to be “true” because it helps me fine tune what works. I have or am challenging almost every one of these dogmas. Every time I do I learn something about myself, health, the body and, perhaps most importantly, my outlook on the whole health thing. Life is a constant evolution of thought, behavior and perspective and challenging your dogmas is one of the best way to see where the groove is, avoid the ruts and hopefully learn quite a bit along the way.

The more you learn the more you grow and the more you find there is to know.

Thanks for reading, have a great day challenging your dogmas!

P.S. What dogmas have you challenged that ended up falling under scrutiny?

Right now I’m challenging a few of mine, including the almost universal belief that refined sugar/high fructose corn syrup/soda is bad for you. Results are not yet in but I’ll keep you updated…