letter from the editor volume 8 | issue 1
T
Trying for resolve in a sea of self-indulgence
his time of year, articles abound on New Year’s resolutions, with the mindset that with a new year comes a new chance to make yourself better. It’s no secret that I’m terrible with resolutions of any kind. You might say my middle name could be “indulgence”—I have virtually no willpower to hold myself back from something I want, especially when it comes to food. A few weeks ago, I decided to start a diet—the same day I started my new job. But that Tuesday, as luck would have it, was election Day, and the tradition in newsrooms and media centers across the country is to have pizza as the numbers roll in. In fact, there were two pizza parties that day. Wednesday, I ordered a sandwich without bread, trying to be good, and ended up with not only bread, but cheese and mayo. I ate it anyway. Thursday was our chili cook-off and I participated by bringing brownies and cornbread. And Friday we had chicken stuffed with goat cheese at a luncheon, with chocolate and cheesecake truffles for dessert. I wholeheartedly partook of all of these. One day, I want to run the 500 Festival Mini Marathon in Indianapolis, like most of my friends and family have. One day, I want to be able to wear the drapey kind of clothes that are so popular. One day, I want to be really good at
achieving a mental state of zen, so that I can control my crazy anxious thoughts on my own. But it’s always put off until sometime in the vague, nebulous future. Because right now I’ve got a giant burrito to eat, and if you think I’m giving this up, you’re crazy. But maybe I can change. Maybe we all can. In putting this magazine together, I read so many great articles that inspire me to be healthier, like the story on Meditation 101, which makes it seem so easy to start working toward the goal of mental clarity. Or the articles on cleanses and pre-packaged meals, which offer new and exciting ways to eat healthier and make fewer unhealthy decisions—no need to pack a lunch on those hectic mornings! In addition, lots of our stories this issue make me realize how important it is to take care of yourself for the future. I may be young now, but the choices I’m making can have a negative effect on my health in the not-so-distant future. But one thing I’m absolutely sure we can all do this year are the simple activities suggested in the winter calorie-burning article. I have a feeling I’ll be shoveling a lot of snow, and if all else fails, it’s impossible to keep from shivering. Involuntary exercise may be the way to go for now. kathleen dorsey managing editor
CheCk out nwi.Com/gethealthy, where you’ll find: Our comprehensive calendar of Well-Being Events • Fresh new articles and information every day • Health advice from local and national experts • The place to sign up for our weekly email newsletter to receive advice and ideas on nutrition, fitness, mental health and health care
4 | GET HEALTHY | nwi.com/gethealthy
Publisher — BILL MASTERSON, JR. Associate Publisher/Editor — PAT COLANDER Managing Editor — KATHLEEN DORSEY Design Director — BEN CUNNINGHAM Designer — APRIL BURFORD Niche Assistant — LAVETA HUGHES Contributing Editors JANE AMMESON, HEATHER AUGUSTYN, LESLY BAILEY, TRICIA DESPRES, LU ANN FRANKLIN, TERRI GORDON, JULIE DEAN KESSLER, BONNIE MCGRATH, KIM RANEGAR, VANESSA RENDERMAN, SHARON BIGGS WALLER NiCHE PubLiCATioN SALES Account Executives MIKE CANE, ANDREA WALCZAK Advertising operations Managers ERIC HORON Advertising Managers DEB ANSELM, LISA DAUGHERTY, CRAIG CHISM Production Manager TOM KACIUS Creative Services Manager AMI REESE
Published by Lee Enterprises The Times of Northwest Indiana Niche Productions Division 601 W 45th Ave, Munster, Indiana 46321 219.933.3200 2080 N Main St Crown Point, Indiana 46307 219.662.5300 1111 Glendale Blvd Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 219.462.5151 Copyright, Reprints and Permissions: You must have permission before reproducing material from Get Healthy magazine. Get Healthy magazine is published six times each year by Lee Enterprises, The Times of Northwest Indiana, Niche Division, 601 W 45th Ave, Munster, IN 46321.