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WITI HEALTH
Resolving to Create a Healthier You
Resolutions are often weak and ineffective -- more like wish lists than concrete plans for permanent change. Do you say "I will lose weight," and then expect it just to happen? When it doesn't, are you disappointed and think that resolutions just don't work? That's why resolutions get such a bad rap. You can succeed at making permanent changes. Here are some simple steps that do work. They may seem overly simple to you, but it's that simplicity that makes them work. 1) Create a vision: Just get away from distractions and sit quietly to dream and think. Ponder what's important to you, and where you want to end up. Once you've figured out that vision, write it down. 2) Define the steps of your plan: Identify simple steps of how to get where you want to go. Once you've written down your plan, and the steps for carrying it out, you're halfway to accomplishing it already. 3) Schedule it: As busy as we all are, carrying it out is the hard part. If you're like me, with lots of balls in the air (who isn't these days), it has to be on your calendar or you'll drop that ball. For example, to ensure that I get my daily exercise, which is critical for heart health, it's now a recurring event on my calendar - when the reminder pops up, I go do it. Otherwise, it's hard to remember among all the other things we do. These three steps can get you started, but if you find that making permanent change is a daunting task and you'd like some help reaching your goal of a healthier you, perhaps A Woman's Guide to Saving Her Own Life can help. This workbook will guide you step-by-step. For those of you looking to lose weight, it includes my proven secrets for losing 85 pounds. If I can lose weight, you can, too. Get off to a great start for 2005! Why am I so concerned about your resolutions and about your being healthy? I just experienced something so disturbing that I simply must share it. I was at an American Heart Association meeting recently that included many survivors of heart disease, like me, and of stroke. Hearing the stroke survivors' stories left me stunned and heartsick. Where many of them used to be thriving, productive, and active -- doing things to take care of themselves -- most are now permanently disabled. One survivor's story in particular hit me hard; it made me angry and sad. Her grandmother had suffered a stroke, so she shared that with her doctor, and figured that her doctor would track and monitor her health. Maybe her doctor didn't give her the right testing and follow up, or maybe nothing showed up, but she, too, recently had a stroke. This young woman now is disabled, permanently, with vision and walking problems, and she can no longer work to make a living. I couldn't help thinking of what it would be like to walk in her shoes, and felt that she must certainly be very strong and resilient to survive this. Her story isn't unique -- it happens every 45 seconds in the US where we now have nearly 5 million stroke survivors, 30% of whom are permanently disabled. They are unable to walk, speak, see, or work. They are more at risk for further medical issues, too, and because of it can no longer get medical insurance. Stroke is devastating -- physically, emotionally, and financially -- for individuals, families, companies, and our economy. Why am I sharing this and why should it matter to you? Because two out of every five of us -- forty per cent -- will get and die from heart disease or stroke. Heart disease is the #1 killer, and stroke is #3. Stroke is also the #1 cause of disability. Every family -- including yours -- will be touched by heart disease or stroke. Females are at high risk for stroke, and African American females, especially those who already have high blood pressure, are at incredibly high risk. The good news is that both heart disease and stroke are preventable, if you know what to change. Do you know your risk factors for heart disease and stroke, and are you doing something about them? Do you know what to ask your doctor and how to make sure you're getting the care you deserve? Do you know what symptoms to look for, and when to call 911? Do you know what you can do to protect yourself? You need to know the answers to these questions, and to do something about them. If you don't, YOU COULD BE NEXT. Isn't it time for you to resolve to be healthy and to take care of yourself? Hopefully I can help you. I wrote A Woman's Guide to Saving Her Own Life for you. It was a labor of love to let you know how to protect yourself, your family, and your friends from these debilitating and deadly diseases. If you think this can't happen to you, please read my story about my brush with death from heart disease. I wasn't at risk either - at least I didn't think so. My only risks were being overweight and overstressed. Does that sound like you, at least the overstressed part? You may not know that you're headed for a train wreck until it's too late. Won't you do something about it right away? If you order the e-book, within minutes you can be making your plan for the permanent changes you need to save your own life. Please don't put it off. You need to take action immediately to save your life, for you and those who count on you. Resolve now to take care of yourself, and to put a plan in place to do so. You deserve to focus on you for a change! What are you resolving to do or what health goals have you set for 2005? How can I help you reach them? I'd like to help with your biggest challenges. Please post your comments or drop me an e-mail to let me know:
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Do you make New Year's resolutions? Have you stuck to them? Maybe, or maybe not.