A neuroscientist who studies decision-making shares his best advice for living healthier

Making healthy choices sounds like a good way to get in better shape. But according to Moran Cerf, the strategy is misguided.

Cerf, a professor of business and neuroscience at Northwestern University, has been studying decision-making for over a decade. One of his biggest takeaways is that making choices on a daily basis is psychologically exhausting.

In other words, it's tough to constantly exert the willpower required to avoid snacking or get up off the couch to exercise. Eventually, old habits get the best of people and they cave to unproductive tendencies.

Based on his research, Cerf claims other strategies are far more effective at getting people to build sustainable habits that promote healthy living - and they aren't the typical stuff of diet books.