An Ounce of Prevention

This spring I had some respiratory issues that hung on for more than six weeks, and they dramatically impacted how I felt throughout the day—especially my energy level. As I spent evening after evening lazing on the couch with zero motivation, I began wondering how my personal choices and attitude impact my wellness. I’m not wondering if it’s all in my head. Instead I’m wondering how much of my wellness is within my control and how much isn’t.

A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report posted on the American Holistic Health Association’s website identifies that the key factors influencing one’s health have not changed significantly during the past 20 years.

• Everyday lifestyle choices account for 53%
• Environment is 19%
• Heredity is 18%
• Quality of medical care is 10%

The decisions I make about my lifestyle and habits are by far the largest factor in determining my state of wellness. (To read the complete article visit http://ahha.org/rosen.htm.) And when the Cleveland Clinic is the first institution mentioned in the Time Magazine (June 22, 2009) cover story on prevention, I’m hopeful that prevention is going to become a normal part of our health care planning in the future.

Rather than wait for the health-care industry to catch up, I’m making some commitments to myself. I am going to take more responsibility for myself by living healthier in order to promote personal wellness. I will get my annual physical and mammogram. I will be more active, pay attention to what I put in my body, and focus on living with a positive attitude. I will partner with my doctors and we will focus on prevention. We will not treat illness with pharmaceuticals until we’ve tried lifestyle changes.

One thing I know about myself is that I can get obsessive when it comes to major commitments like the ones outlined above. My final commitment to myself is to be gentle and forgiving when I slip “off the wagon” and eat Doritos or choose an evening on the couch instead of on my bike. What healthy commitments would you like to make? Share your thoughts by clicking on “Comments” below.

10 Ways to Love Yourself Thin

As someone who has lost and regained hundreds of pounds over the course of my life, I’ve come to realize I don’t need a food plan to help me lose weight. I know how to eat healthy. In fact, I have probably learned enough during my years of dieting to write a set of dieting encyclopedias. Don’t get me wrong, food plans based on healthy concepts work and I recommend them to provide a well-needed structure. I also know, though, that a food plan is not enough. Neither is a food plan coupled with meetings, books, or well-meaning weight loss counselors. The truth is, if you don’t love yourself the weight won’t stay off. It’s pure and simple...and easier said than done. Here are 10 things that are helping me “love myself thin.”

1. Every morning I stand in front of a mirror, look deep into my eyes say, “I love you and approve of you, Mary.”
2. I’ve forgiven myself for every pound I’ve regained. No excuses, just pure forgiveness and love.
3. I play at losing weight instead of working at it. It’s much more fun.
4. In small bursts throughout the day, I breathe, meditate, or pray.
5. I’m replacing negative self-talk with affirmations.
6. I trust what my body, mind, heart, and soul tell me.
7. I've found parts of my body that I love right now. I’ve learned a lot about this through OnePinky. (www.onepinky.com) My body is amazing and I’m learning more and more what an awesome gift it really is.
8. I am not quitting. I love myself too much to quit.
9. I share my goals and feelings with loving people. I’ve stopped spending my energy trying to help people understand or “get" me.
10. I’m willing to receive support and willing to support others on their journeys.

How well do you love yourself? Share your thoughts by clicking on “Comments” below.

At Your Desk Blues Busters

After a wonderful weekend of travel, fun, and fitness I found myself disgruntled as I started a new week. Hmmm...what’s that about? I have a life I love, which includes rewarding work and I was happy to get up and get moving this morning. But once I was sitting at my computer, I felt restless and irritated. How could I shake myself out of my Monday morning blues? I did five simple things that probably took less than five minutes and found my spirits lifting and my motivation returning.

• Hot tea – Even though spring is here and the temperatures are starting to rise, hot tea comforts me. I filled my favorite mug with some fragrant green tea and my heart got a bit lighter.
• Stretch – While the microwave ticked off the two minutes to heat my tea water, I didn’t go back to my desk to check email. I paid attention to my body. I discovered a little crick in my neck. For the remaining 90 seconds on the microwave, I stretched my neck. Aaahhhh, that felt good.
• Music – I’ve recently discovered Pandora Radio (www.pandora.com) and I love it. I picked one of my very favorite stations and let the music flow over me and let my mind and eyes wander.
• Photos – I have several photos on my desk highlighting favorite people and places. Often I don’t even notice them. Today, while I sipped my tea and enjoyed Luka Bloom’s music, I went to the beach with my sister, apple picking with my mom and dad, and to a wedding reception with my husband—all in my mind, of course.
• Breathe – As I finished my photo journey, I took a couple of deep breaths and felt contentment creeping back into my heart. Intentional breathing is soothing and refreshing, and no one even has to know you’re doing it.

I could have spent the entire morning being grumpy or trying to figure out why I felt blue. Instead I invested five minutes in simple pampering and I came out on the other side feeling more like myself and happy to get down to business. What do you do to lift yourself out of the blues?  Click on "Comment" below and share your Blues Busters.