Keeping a Healthy New Year’s Resolution

New year’s resolutions come and go as quickly as a wink. With the new year usually comes a resolution to feel better, lose weight, and a multitude of other health-related goals. These are always wonderful to begin with, but many people lose the drive to reach their goals. Or once they achieve it, they go right back to the way things were before. This year, let’s change the way we make goals and resolutions. Let’s make long term goals that will give us lasting results.

Let your body be your guide. Your body is sending you messages all the time; it tells you when you are tired, hungry, sick and in pain. Think on your daily routine, and create your wellness goal based on how you feel. When you wake up in the morning, do you feel rested? Are you achy or in pain? These are the ways your body is telling you something is wrong, and a good night’s sleep may not be the only remedy. Perhaps you got a little too carried away in the friendly flag football game against the in-laws. It may be time to add seeing the chiropractor to your list of new year’s resolutions.

Whole body wellness is an achievable goal. With the help of chiropractic adjustments and a few lifestyle changes, you could keep your new year’s resolution this year. As a general rule, if you are overweight and do not exercise, you are more likely to endure joint pain as well as other chronic pains. These pains are a direct result of the extra pressure your joints are under as a result of an unhealthy lifestyle. So if your planned New Year’s resolution is to conquer your health, this article will give you some food for thought.

Creating the resolution

The real goal with any health-related new year’s resolution is ultimately to feel better. With that in mind why not make your resolution just that, to feel better. The easiest way to set a long-term goal and have it be achievable is to set a realistic goal to start with. Then set smaller goals that are more achievable. Here are a few good goals you can try out, to set you on the path to whole health. Also remember that not all goals have to be so serious. It’s a lot easier to reach a goal if it sounds fun to achieve.

Dietary changes–

Christmas cookies and turkey dinners make up a lot of our diets during the holiday season. It’s perfectly normal to indulge a little during this happy time of the year. However it’s hard to get rid of those pesky pounds after the parties have stopped. It’s also just as hard to get back into more normal healthy eating habits. Try remembering during your holiday parties that relish trays are not just for decoration, and it’s not a necessity to get a second helping of pie. If you do choose to indulge, just remember that sleeping off a turkey coma may sound good, but maybe you should go for a walk instead.

Weight loss-

Remember that the numbers on a scale are just that; there isn’t a real number that is a perfect fit for everyone. Each person is as different and unique as a snowflake, so setting a number goal for weight loss will set you up for disappointment. Rather than saying you want to lose x amount of weight, make your goal to exercise daily and eat a more balanced diet. Join a fitness class or go to the local recreation center and play that sport you love so much. Exercise is proven to release endorphins and make you feel happy, but it’s so much more effective if it’s something you like.

Getting a checkup-

It’s the time of year when colds and other viruses are in abundance. Remember to see your doctor and get a flu shot, and take care of yourself if you do get sick. It’s also important to see your chiropractor for a regular check up, adjustment, and/or if you hurt yourself goofing around with the family.

Achieving your goals

The best way to achieve any fitness goal in the wintertime is to embrace the season. A typical winter day can bring chilly temperatures and less-than-ideal conditions for fitness. Running, biking and other activities that are far more enjoyable in the warmer summer months aren’t the only ways to keep fit. If you live in an area where winter sports are easily accessible, take advantage of the health benefits you can reap from enjoying yourself. Skiing, sledding, ice-skating and a myriad of other sports are only available during the winter time and can offer some relief from all that sitting indoors.

Winter sports and their health benefits

Skiing–

You don’t even have to own a pair of ski’s to enjoy skiing. Heading to the slopes is as easy as renting a pair of skis and purchasing a lift pass. If you are new to the sport, there are always classes available, and you probably already know some know-it-all who would be more than happy to show you how. The biggest drawback to skiing is probably the cost. It is a costly pursuit, and many people don’t live very close to a resort. The benefit though is that even moderate downhill skiing can burn around 400 calories an hour. It also strengthens core muscles, improves your cardiovascular system, increases flexibility and can cause bouts of happiness.

Sledding–

This winter activity is great because it’s perfect for all ages and typically doesn’t cost a thing. Aside from all the fresh air and sunshine you could possibly enjoy, sledding has other health benefits as well. Sledding uses most, if not all of the muscles in the body, from hauling your sled to the top of the hill, to holding on for dear life as you slide to the bottom. You could also burn around 300-700 calories per hour depending on the size of hill you choose. Let’s not forget to mention that sledding is just plain fun.

Building a snowman–

This category of winter fun also includes snowball fights and snow angels. If you are fortunate enough to get a really good snowfall that is thick and packs well, there’s nothing better than building a snowman. The health benefits largely come from just being active. The level of activity while playing in the snow can help you melt off around 200-300 calories an hour and you get the benefit of building an igloo or pelting someone with a snowball. Playing in the snow really only requires warm clothing and a good winter storm.

Walking in a winter wonderland-

This is an easy one, and you can do it anywhere. There doesn’t even have to be snow to walk in a winter wonderland. These days, there are so many awesome places to go and see Christmas lights or other holiday decorative displays. Even your own neighborhood could offer up a taste of the season. If you stroll about and take in the sites it’s a great low impact exercise and can burn off around 65 calories a mile. It may not be the best option for getting rid of the holiday pounds from all the cookies and cakes, but it’s better than sitting indoors and/or eating more cake.

Conclusion

The biggest risks to your health that you take during the winter aren’t going to be from enjoying a day on the slopes or building a snowman with the kids. Sitting and other dormant activities are proving to be quite bad for your overall health. Sitting for long periods of time can cause your joints to become stiff and achy. Getting up and going for a walk can really take the stress off your joints.

So rather than sitting inside sipping cocoa by the fire, motivate yourself to give new things a try. Tell your friends “yes” if they want to try out that new indoor surfing thing. Go skiing with your old college roommate. Build that snowman that the kids have been begging you to help out with. Best of all, remember to make the season fun and enjoy yourself. Your New Year’s resolution won’t be achievable if it isn’t any fun. OFFICE HOURS Monday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM * Tuesday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM † Wednesday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM * Thursday Closed Friday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM * Saturday / Sunday Closed * We are closed 12-1:30PM for lunch. † Doctor is not in Tuesday