to your larger objective.
Make a foundational change Those who would like to make numerous lifestyle changes could benefit from starting with one foundational change that makes it easier to achieve the others. Resolving to get a better night’s sleep is a good example. Better rest at night gives you more energy for exercise; helps your body recover faster in between workout sessions; lowers stress; makes cravings more manageable so you’re less likely to reach for cigarettes, food, or alcohol; and provides a host of other physical, mental, and emotional benefits.
whenever you feel tempted to smoke or reach for the bag of potato chips. • Reward your progress. Establish desired milestones and give yourself healthy rewards (that aren’t related to your bad habit) when you reach them. ❦
On February 7th:
WE’RE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Yours!
Go Red
For Women
®
Get help Unhealthy habits with an addictive component, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, or compulsive overeating, can be particularly difficult to overcome—and willpower alone may not be enough to carry you through. However, your chances of beating these problems will improve dramatically if you seek help in the form of professional counseling, a support group, and/or a formal program for smoking or alcohol cessation, weight loss, etc. Any form of assistance that provides ongoing support and accountability will stack the odds of success in your favor. Your doctor or other healthcare professional is a great place to start. He or she can evaluate your current health status as well as connect you with helpful resources in your community.
Don’t lose faith too soon! If you’re reading this and fear your resolution is already on shaky ground, don’t lose heart. There are bound to be stumbling blocks on the road to success, and there’s nothing stopping you from refocusing and picking up right where you left off. Here are some tips to help you on your way: • Form a cheerleading squad of family and friends to help motivate you toward your goal. • List the benefits of making a positive change on a sheet of paper and place the list where you’ll see it every day. • Be on the alert for negative thoughts like “I’ll never be able to stick with this diet,” and be prepared to counter them with positive ones like “If I forego this cookie, I’ll be one step closer to fitting into that bikini.” • Get plenty of sleep, at least eight hours a night. • Learn to substitute behaviors when temptation arises. For example, plan ahead of time to take a ten-minute walk
T
he American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women® movement in Northwest Ohio is asking all women and those who love them to celebrate National Wear Red Day on Friday, February 7, 2014. Heart disease is the Number-one killer of women—killing more women than all forms of cancer combined. Most women don’t notice the symptoms of heart disease until it’s too late, which is why heart disease has been called the silent killer. But we won’t be silent. The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women is asking all women to Go Red by wearing red, living a healthy lifestyle, and speaking red by spreading the message that heart disease is killing our mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends. For more than a decade, millions of women have united to raise their voices about this silent killer. While we’ve made remarkable progress, nearly 1,100 women are still dying each day. But, with your help, many more lives can be saved. You can: • Go Red by wearing red on National Wear Red Day, Friday, February 7, 2014. Show the world you are part of a movement that’s aimed at raising awareness about women’s number-one killer. • Become part of the movement by joining Go Red For Women. Visit GoRedForWomen.org to learn how you can get involved. • Go red by speaking red and sharing information about heart disease prevalence, symptoms, and prevention with your friends and family. Keep the women in your life informed about how they can make heart-healthy lifestyle choices and reduce their risk for heart
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JOY RIEDL (419) 308-0585
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