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Make a Healthy Resolution… And Keep It
Are you promising yourself
that this coming new year will
be a healthier one for your
body and mind? Michael Sher, M.D.,
an internal medicine physician on
staff at Ocean Medical Center, shares
ways to keep some of the most frequently
made new year's resolutions
all year long.
Slim Down and Shape Up
Losing weight is one of the most
common — and elusive — goals that
people set. To take the pounds off
safely and permanently, consider
these strategies:
- Set small, specific goals. Instead
of saying, "I'm going to lose 20
pounds," decide that you'll be more
active every other day of the week.
- Ask your doctor about a good
weight and calorie plan for your
height, build, and age.
- To help keep cravings at bay, eat a
small amount of your favorite foods
occasionally.
- Find sneaky ways to get exercise.
"Use the stairs, park your car a
block or two away, or take dance
lessons," says Dr. Sher.
- Watch for triggers that cause you to
overeat, such as being lonely, sad,
bored, or stressed.
Kick the Habit
Smoking and heavy drinking are two
habits that need to go — for good.
They're both linked to serious health
problems such as cancer, and they
also can be a health hazard to those around you, says Dr. Sher. Here are
some steps that may help you quit:
- Be aware of the problem. Generally,
a woman who has more than three
drinks per occasion, and a man
who has more than four drinks per
occasion, is at risk of developing
a drinking problem. "For smoking,
remember that there's no safe
tobacco product, including snuff or
chewing tobacco," advises Dr. Sher.
- Add up all the money you spend
on cigarettes. Ask yourself what
you'd rather do with that money
over the next few years.
- Consider seeing a counselor. You
also may benefit from a self-help
group, 12-step program, or
telephone support line.
- Talk with your doctor about medicine
that can help ease your withdrawal
symptoms.
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