Live Well with Phil Rainier: Resolutions/Wellness

    Hello Central!  I hope 2013 is starting out to be the best ever for you and your family!

    Thanks for taking the time to read my new LiveWell Column.  Unlike the television segments I did at WAFB for 20 plus years, here I’ll be focusing exclusively on those things you can do to stay healthy and, if you get lucky, maybe “wealthy and wise.”   In the health care community, it’s called “wellness.”

    If you’re like a lot of people, at least one of your New Year’s resolutions was dedicated to this noble endeavor.  Maybe you vowed to stop smoking, lose weight or exercise more.  Those are some of the most common resolutions people make as they ring in the New Year.   Here’s the rub.   Despite our best intentions, research shows the vast majority of people who vow to make a change for the better as they transition from one year to the next fail. 

    According to Helen Balzli, Physical Therapist and owner of Central Physical Therapy (my new employer) there are as many reasons people don’t keep their resolutions as there are people who make them.  For starters, “The resolution has to be realistic”, “too often they’re not.”  It’s important to do your research and make sure the changes you want to make in the New Year are doable.  If not, make the necessary modifications and go from there.

    Not putting goals in writing is another resolution killer.  Goals that are written down are more real.  CPT co-owner and Physical Therapist Tom Coplin says, “Having a commitment you’ve made to yourself in writing and staring you in the face when you feel like quitting can be powerful motivation.  It helps you remember why you wanted to make a change in the first place.” 

    Not being specific enough is another reason experts say people fall short of achieving their resolutions to LiveWell in the New Year.  It’s not enough  to say you’re going to lose weight and get in shape in 2013.  Attach a realistic number to your weight loss goal and write down exactly what you’re going to do to reach that goal and get in shape.  If it’s going to the gym, specify how often you’ll go.

    Lifestyle change is not for the faint of heart.  In fact, it’s just plain hard.  It’s okay to reward yourself when you’ve reached a milestone.  If losing 10 pounds was the goal and you hit it, give yourself a pat on the back. Do something fun. Buy something you’ve been wanting.  Some of the most popular diets suggest treating yourself with your favorite snack when you’ve progressed according to plan.

    Finally, don’t quit too soon.  It took a long time to get to where you were New Year’s Eve when you decided to create a better you.  It took months, even years to get where you were.  The results want won’t happen overnight.  If you miss a day of exercise, eat something you shouldn’t or get off track for any reason, don’t give up.  It reminds me of a saying I heard growing up, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.”  Sure, you may make mistakes along the way. The key is not to throw out the progress you’ve made as you’ve marched toward your wellness goals regardless of how small it seems.

    With that, I wish you all good luck with your New Year’s “Wellness” goals!  As we boldly head into to 2013, I’m looking forward to sharing more ideas that will help you LiveWell for many years to come.

    Phil Rainier is Director of Marketing and Communications at Central Physical Therapy.  You can contact him by e-mail at prainier@centralptonline.