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January 2009: Making Resolutions
Happy New Year one and all!
In the tradition of the New Year, let's make some resolutions.
What I propose is that all of us make three resolutions in regards to our health. Why three? Three is a great number because it is enough to really make a difference in our lives but not too many for it to overwhelm us to the point that we are unable to follow through.
Well, that is a question that only you can answer BUT I am going to do my best to help steer you in the right direction.
How about not making the obligatory resolution to: LOSE WEIGHT. The idea behind it is a good one but it is way too general and frankly lacks any real motivating factors. Not to mention, weight is one of THE lousiest indicators of one's health because it fails to take into account your body's composition of muscle versus fat, as well as, your overall build. So instead, why don't you take a couple of minutes and take a few basic measurements that include your chest, waist, and hips and use these as your markers instead. This way whether your goal is to trim down or tone up you will be able to really quantify your progress without any need for interpretation. This process will also help you assess your risk for certain diseases such as cardiovascular disease. In fact, one's Waist Circumference: Is a good indicator of the abdominal fat you carry which is a predictor for developing risk factors for heart disease and other diseases.
Which leads me to a second resolution… in order to follow through on your first resolution it really should be partnered with a resolution to increase your current level of activity. Now I don't want to scare some of you so I intentionally didn't use the term “work out.” Resolving to increase your current level of activity doesn't mean you have to rush out and buy a gym membership, but what it does mean is that you need to carefully evaluate what you do on a daily and weekly basis and see where you can become more active. Small changes like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking at the back of a parking lot and not the front, carrying a basket at the grocery store when you are only doing a small shop, walking your dog twice around the block instead of once can really add up. For the next year, if you make a decision to take one task per week that you do on a regular basis and make it “more active,” you will notice a huge difference.
So last but not least, make a resolution to follow through on your resolutions this year!!!! Take it seriously. Write them down, post them in a place where you will be constantly reminded of them, and don't let yourself give up on making these changes that can and will have a huge impact on your life, health, and happiness. Proving to yourself that you can do it will make the biggest difference of all!