January 2011
New Year’s resolutions abound and often are rooted in deep-seeded yearnings that bother us to the core of our being, but are so ingrained that we have trouble completing the task we set out to conquer. We give up or give in often just shy of the goal, thereby allowing our list to remain unchanged year to year. But that does us no good in the end.
Smoking is the number one cause of death in the United States. If smoking cessation is your goal for the New Year, you are in the overwhelming majority as more than four out of five smokers say they want to quit. With support from those who love you, encouragement and affirmation, and often some medical supplementation from your doctor, up to 40 percent of participants are able to quit smoking and stay off cigarettes for at least one year. The benefits are overwhelming, not to mention you begin to look younger and smell better. Benefits include,
· Nicotine-free in 72 hours
· Withdrawal symptoms resolved within 2-3 weeks
· Improved breathing within six months
· Easier to walk by and chronic cough often resolves in 3 months
· Heart attack risk cut in half within 1 year
The second greatest underlying cause of death in the United States, according to WebMD, is the combination of a lack of physical activity and not eating the right foods, taken together. Now that Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons are behind us, better attention to what we consume is also important. Processed food of limited nutritional quality creates a less than optimal future quality of life. When you exercise, you…..
· Improve mobility and flexibility
· Improve the “pain of old-age”
· Lower the risks of falls and the associated disability that follows
· (when accomplished with others), enrich your relationships and persistence
· Enhance weight discipline
· Reduce the risks of multiple medical-related conditions, including heart disease, some cancers, and back and joint complaints
There are many ideas and beliefs on how to go about sticking to your New Year Resolutions, but I would like to suggest a few:
· Seek medical advice before you begin. Everyone should have a checkup every year and established care with a local medical provider. There are many great providers who are committed to your well-being from which to choose. Medications and support groups they can recommend will also aid in smoking cessation.
· Recruit your support group to enable you to succeed and persuade them to join you. This encouragement improves success and accountability and builds lasting relationships. It also empowers others to take charge of their future.
· Begin with a realistic end in mind. For example, with weight loss, a 3 pound loss each month is reasonable. 30 pounds every 30 days is not sustainable, nor often healthy, but 30-35 pounds a year is. Therefore, 100 pounds will likely take at least 3 years. Be patient, it will last.
Have a Happy New Year!
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