January 9, 2006

Tips to help you keep your New Year’s resolutions this year

By Dr. James Pedreiro, DC
Special to the Times

It’s that time again - time for New Year’s Resolutions.  For many of us, these resolutions focus on what we want to improve in our health-related behaviors. We focus on things we want to lose (weight), give up (smoking) or improve (exercise habits).   

To try to make your resolutions more achievable this year, view them as gifts we give to ourselves. Make them positive, practical and achievable and, hopefully, they can make us a little healthier. Too often adults fail to focus on their own health because they feel a need to focus on family members first. The best gift we can give to our loved ones is to take care of ourselves.  Even just keeping one or two resolutions may add years to our lives.

Before beginning an exercise or slimming program, make sure you don’t put needless wear and tear on malfunctioning spinal joints. Even without obvious symptoms, improper spinal function can diminish the benefits of a toning and strengthening exercise routine.

Chiropractic’s goal is to remove a severe form of spine and nerve stress (the vertebral subluxation) from your body. Subluxations interfere with the proper function of your nervous system, including your brain, and can affect your physical and mental health. When your chiropractor corrects your subluxation, your natural healing ability functions at greater efficiency. Your body and mind functions and heals better. Visiting your chiropractor regularly can help your body heal itself.

The American Medical Association feels that all adults should take a daily multivitamin with minerals to prevent chronic disease. Scientists have proven glucosamine and chondroitin are effective in slowing the destruction of joint cartilage.

Concentrate on healthy eating if you need to lose weight. Small changes mean a lot. Cutting one soft drink a day could reduce your weight by five to ten pounds a year.

Many people become more successful at long-term weight loss once their motive shifts from wanting to be thinner to wanting to be healthier. A change in eating habits can cause your digestive tract to get off track causing annoying and uncomfortable symptoms. When in a weight loss program, remember to get enough fiber to keep you on track and running smoothly.

Set specific fitness goals. Setting goals makes it more likely that people will stick with their fitness plan. Since January is when so many workout clubs and gym memberships are started take advantage of these promotions.

Regardless of the changes you want to make, those who are successful share some common characteristics:

- They believe in their ability to change.
- They don’t blame themselves or make excuses.
- They concentrate on measurable results.
- They know why the resolution to be fit is important.

Getting enough sleep is very important. About 25 percent of us get a bad night’s sleep from stress or anxiety, fatigue, depression or a partner’s poor sleeping habits.  If you’re kept awake, try adding white noise (from a fan or similar humming appliance).

James Pedreiro is a chiropractor at Optimal Health in Campbell.