So Good, So Far

Sometimes I really don't care for statistics. A Study at the University of Scranton reported that only 8 percent of all people who make New Year's resolutions actually keep them. Dan Diamond at Forbes magazine reported that only 40 percent of Americans actually make New Year's resolutions at all. I guess with all that good news why would anyone bother. Well, here's my take on it. Don't look at it as a New Year's resolution, just think of it as a new way to look at what you want. You have to train your mind anyway to make new habits, so why not look at your life and especially your health and see what you want this year. Hope is all we need to make change a reality.

In the "Mind Up" curriculum for grades K-8th, Jensen describes what hopefulness does for our brain. "Hope changes brain chemistry, which influences the decisions we make and the actions we take. Hopefulness must be pervasive and every single student should be able to feel it, see it and hear it daily." So everyday decide that you will be hopeful about your health, because change starts with the hope that we can do it.

Adele Diamond reported in 2009 that, "Happy brains just work better." And one way to have a happy brain was to engage in physical activities on a daily basis such as sports, dance and play. Now it is up to you to decide what physical activities that you want to do, but we know that in order to make changes in our health, we all need a little bit of help.

So here are some tips as you make the changes you want for your health this year:

1) Find a friend, spouse or someone you can confide in. Say what you want for your health this year. Things like, decrease your diabetes meds, decrease your blood pressure meds, decrease your cholesterol, etc. They will be your buddy in this, so make sure you can share your woes with them.

2) Keep it simple. Some days I just walk and some days I run or bike. Some days I go 45 mins other days 15 mins. Just do something everyday.

3) Then make a time. Mark it down. In your iPhone, droid, or note pad. Just do it so you can see it and track it. Then you can see your accomplishments in writing.

4) Make it fun!!! Only you know what you love to do. Some of my patients like to line dance. Some like Yoga, the booty barre or Zumba. Some work out alone and are perfectly happy. It's fine, just do what works and don't stop.

5) Never give up 'Hope' for your health. I have patients all the time who say, "They said I'd never walk again, or they said I'd never run again or ski with my kids" and guess what they did exactly what they were told they never could do. The human spirit is incredible. Never stop believing you can, because your body is amazing.

Sheree DiBiase, PT is the owner of Lake City Physical Therapy and she and her staff can be reached at (208) 667-1988. P.s. So far, so good! It has been 9 days since the new year started and I have worked out 45 mins to an hour everyday. If I can do it, so can you, so please call if you need help starting up your health program this year. Helping people reach their physical potential is what we do everyday in physical therapy.