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Make healthy resolutions to ring in your New Year
Soundoff! (Laurel, MD, December 19, 2002)
By Neil Perlman (Special to Soundoff!)
Fudge from the Christmas party? Gone. Champagne bottles from the New
Year's celebration? Empty. The summer sausage that accompanied the
seasonal televised football marathon? History.
With holiday excesses fresh in our memories, it is no wonder that many
of use start the New Year with a fresh set of healthy resolutions.
Unfortunately, many holiday-inspired resolutions seldom last longer than
the holidays themselves.
"Getting healthy can be hard work," said Neil Perlman, a
Chicago internist. "Good intentions are a great start, but what many
people are missing is the encouragement and support they need when their
motivation starts to wane."
By adhering to a simple exercise program, eating a sensible diet,
reducing alcohol intake and eliminated tobacco use, almost anyone can
ensure themselves of a healthier future. Here are some tips to help you
stick with your healthy new regimen:
- Make your workouts a group activity. Most local gyms offer exercise
classes that meet on a regular basis. If you don't want to join a gym,
organize some friends or co-workers to go walking during the lunch hour,
or in the evenings.
- Keep a exercise and diet journal. Record how often you work out,
what exercises you do, and for how long. Also write down what you eat,
how much and when. Not only will you be able to identify negative
habits, you'll be able to track your progress toward meeting your newer,
healthier goals.
- Reward yourself when you meet a goal. Give yourself a new exercise
outfit, a trip to a day spa, or allow yourself an occasional piece of
cheesecake or other treat. Be creative.
- For those who are trying to quit smoking, there is a new device
available to provide the motivation needed to finally kick the habit.
The QT-Watch helps users keep track of their cigarette consumption.
Available online at www.QT-Watch.com,
the watch also provides tapering goals and motivational messages to help
ease smokers toward a tobacco-free future.
The American Lung Association of California found that patient
counseling and individual motivation can make the difference between
smoking cessation success and failure in attempts to quit smoking.
"The highest rates of success are seen when pharmacological agents are
combined with motivational counseling," Perlman said.
Creating a healthier lifestyle doesn't have to cost a fortune, and it
is an investment that is guaranteed to pay dividends for the rest of
your life.
Editor's note: the writer is a practicing physician, board certified in Internal
Medicine and known as the Quit Doctor for his efforts in the field of
smoking cessation and heart health.
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