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Make This Year Happier and Healthier

01/27/2010

 

The beginning of the year is the perfect time to make or step up a commitment to your health, says Glenmeadow trainer Laurie Campbell. Talk to a friend, take more walks, join a spiritual group or fitness class, try deep breathing, eat smaller meals ... These are just a few of her suggestions for enhancing your wellness one day at a time.

Campbell points to eight strategies for achieving your wellness goals, offered by former tennis champ and AARP health ambassador Martina Navratilova in AARP's December online newsletter:

  • Make a strong commitment to make the change. Prioritize the commitment in your day. Schedule it or keep helpful reminders.
  • Keep track of your progress throughout the year. Write it down on your calendar and keep a notebook. Monitoring or keeping track of your efforts pays off. The feedback you gain from this leads to success.
  • A lifestyle change or behavioral change takes one day at a time. Make small changes first. Small steps lead to long-term healthy habits.
  • Be resilient! If you get off track of your goal, stop yourself. Think about the positive steps you will take to get back on track. Do not dwell on the mistake.
  • Evaluate your goals to make sure they are reasonable. Make changes as needed. Are they achievable? Are they still important to you?
  • Repeat verbally the positive steps you are taking, and before long you will start believing! You can achieve your goals. The more you believe, the more you will achieve.
  • Mental rehearsal creates the experience of success in your mind. For example, you want to skip a fitness class or spiritual meeting. Picture yourself at the class or meeting. Recall how good you felt after the activity. Think how lousy you will feel if you do not go.
  • If you lapse or go off track, strengthen your plan for success. Say no to anything that will distract you. Be creative and find alternative ways to stay on track. You do get to try again-it is an ongoing challenge!


And as the famous Nike slogan states, "Just do it!"