Health Watch By Karleta Colvin

The North Jefferson News



Despite the bitter cold weather that brought us into 2008, many people are “resetting” their new year’s resolutions.

On the other hand, numerous individuals ignore the unreachable resolutions set each year due to the historical high percentage of failure. Making a new year’s resolution involves a personal examination of one’s character or habits in hopes of improving one’s self. The truth of the matter is that we all have room for improvement. How would you like to improve yourself during this new year of 2008?

Millions of Americans realize the rise in obesity and the many complications that come along with it. In the southeastern region of the United States, which includes Alabama, we have the highest obesity rate and it’s on the rise. This epidemic is costing us billions of dollars. What better way to start this new year than with a sincere resolution to make a change in your everyday lifestyle. However, it is important to set reachable goals which must include physical activity and a decrease in caloric intake.

Living a sedentary lifestyle is the first obstacle we must tackle. It is very important to include some type of physical activity or exercise into our daily lives.

Of course, this activity level ranges with age and physical ability. For the elderly, this may include a scenic walk in the park or mall with a buddy. Many enjoy the challenges of shoulder rolls, leg and arm lifts and body stretches or crunches. It is important to check with your doctor about any exercise program before getting started.

For some adults and children, the complaint is not having enough time for physical activity. It is important for parents to make time for daily exercise. Children learn by example. Finding an activity to do together, such as playing ball, or golf, teaches your child and benefits both of you physically.

This may necessitate limiting the amount of time spent watching TV or playing video games. Try spending part of your lunch break everyday speed walking for ten or fifteen minutes. You’ll be surprised at your level of energy after a few minutes of daily exercise.

Healthy eating for all age groups is another struggle for many of us. With the increasing numbers of processed fast foods available and the decreasing amount of time and effort set aside for preparing a well balanced meal, we are eating ourselves into a state of morbid obesity. How can we decrease the amount of processed fast foods we eat? How can we increase the amount of time and effort placed on preparing a well balanced meal?

To start you on your way to healthy eating, it is easier to come up with a list of foods you can eat. Begin your week with a preset menu of options for each meal to be eaten Sunday through Saturday. Try to increase fruits and vegetables in the menu. Make smart choices from every food group. Remember to leave room for “a day off,” but try not to over indulge.

It is very important to realize that it is almost impossible for most of us to completely stop eating certain dishes. This is the exact reason why many of us must “reset” our new year’s resolution each year. The main thing is to pay close attention to portion size and eat certain foods in moderation. Too much of anything is bad for you.

As an individual you will find your strengths and weaknesses. It also helps to meditate on ways to overcome certain cravings. Keeping a journal and copies of meal options can be inspirational to many. Others find it encouraging to pair up with a buddy or two to help each other stay on track.

Finding your comfort zone and following these tips will definitely start you on your way to a healthier you for the year of 2008. For most of us, great results can be seen if we simply add daily activities to our lives and monitor what we eat. After making these adjustments we can reap the rewards as a healthier individual beyond 2008.

Karleta Colvin is a PharmD candidate, working at The Pharmacy in Mt. Olive. She can be reached at 631-1201.