WILL YOU CHOOSE REGRETS OR RESOLUTIONS FOR 2019
Does the New Year Really Have to Mean a Whole New You Overnight?
Research suggests that almost 46% of New Year’s Resolutions are broken before mid-year. But, psychologists say that you’re more likely to stick to your goals of a healthier lifestyle when they’re realistic.
Starting small and achieving something gives you motivation. For example – don’t become a vegan overnight – start with “Meatless Mondays!” Keep these guidelines in mind when considering resolutions regarding diet and exercise in the New Year:
- Don’t cut out all carbs – just start to choose healthy ones (not all carbs are created equal).
- Ditto for fats – choose the ones that are heart healthy and get rid of the saturated fats.
- Sugar is evil, but don’t go into withdrawal. Start reading the ingredients listed on the package for the products you consume (you will be shocked), and try to limit yourself to no more than 6 teaspoons a day. Next month make it 4 and so on. If you MUST have chocolate – make it dark chocolate!
- It’s hard to become a teetotaler overnight. Instead of 2 alcoholic drinks a night, have 1.
- Tired of diets and want to lose weight? Try making exercise a regular part of your day! Walk, bike, swim, play more golf (without a cart). And remember, even moderate exercise improves mental sharpness.
- Committed to lowering your high blood pressure this year? Hitting the gym may work well in combination with your meds to lower your hypertension.
- You can’t become a bodybuilder overnight. Vow to build your strength and stamina enough to try weights (with supervision), even just a few days a week will save muscle mass. Sarcopenia is one of the most important causes of decline and loss of independence in older adults.
- Need more rest? Tired of always being fatigued? Naps are not always the answer. Develop good bedtime habits that will help you get a better night’s sleep. Put the cell phone down an hour before hitting the hay.
Worried about dementia, disability and dependence a bit more this year? Remember that what’s good for the body is good for the brain as well. It’s never too late to start making changes toward a healthier lifestyle. Research has shown exercise, cutting back on drinking and smoking, managing stress, and making better food choices correlate to better brain cognition and memory. We also recommend as New Year Resolutions:
- Find a purpose if you are retiring this year – stay focused on creative activities or hobbies that you enjoy, and consider volunteering for those warm and fuzzy feelings.
- Get outdoors more, and make an effort to socialize, don’t isolate yourself. Offer to babysit the grandkids.
- Learn something new like a language, how to play an instrument or how to cook, it will stretch your brain.
- Promise to start to get regular check ups.
- If you are physically limited, at least try yoga or chair exercise.
- Do a safety audit of your home to cut down on fall risk.
Contact Us: Having a hard time getting up and getting out? Our Companionship Services are all about you! Sometimes a sedentary lifestyle with bad habits is about being alone, not being able to drive, nervousness about the unfamiliar or personal safety, not sure how to start a new routine, or not knowing how to research what you want to do or find the resources you need to do it. The Visiting Angels HHAs and CNAs who provide companionship to our clients focus on you, and what help you need to get motivated to make the healthier changes necessary today to feel better tomorrow. So let’s vow together to only have resolutions this year and not regrets!
Till Next Time!
Irv Seldin, JD, President and Owner, Visiting Angels of the Palm Beaches
*THIS ARTICLE IS NOT INTENDED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.