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Brought to you by some the J’s very own wellness experts.
Amy Scwartz’s Tips
Set Short-Term, Realistic Goals. Short-term goals are easier to keep, and each small accomplishment will help keep you motivated. Instead of focusing on losing 30 pounds, focus on losing the first five.
Track Your Progress. Keep a food journal to help you stay on track, and reward yourself for each five pounds lost.
Don’t Beat Yourself Up. Obsessing over the occasional slip won’t help you achieve your goal. Do the best you can each day, and take one day at a time.
Raychel Setless’s Tips
Try Something New. Spice up your fitness schedule by adding something new into the mix. Maybe this is an outdoor winter sport, a new group fitness class, adding a new piece of equipment into your regimen, or working with a personal trainer!
Find A Workout Buddy. Workout with someone who has similar resolutions and the same motivation level as you. You can hold each other accountable and tackle your goals together!
Shop Healthy. Having trouble eating healthy? It all starts with shopping healthy! Write your grocery lists ahead of time and don’t budge from them- even if there is a 90% off sale on potato chips. Being surrounded by only healthy options in your home will take away temptation and help you eat healthier
Gail Wolven’s Tips
Schedule a yearly physical. Not everyone needs a yearly physical, but always check with your physician for their recommendation. They are most familiar with your health history. Many employers require or give incentives to employees to have a yearly physical to manage their health care costs. If you have health care through your employer you check with the benefits department.
Have your Body Mass Index calculated. Being overweight or obese can damage your health and increase your chance for developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and increase your risk for many cancers. Your physician, personal trainer or fitness specialists can calculate your BMI.
Get tests annually. Cholesterol screenings should begin at age 20 and then repeated every 5 years. LDL (your lousy) cholesterol is recommended to be less than 100 mg/dl and less than 70 is optimal if you are high risk. Your HDL (your healthy) cholesterol should be 50 mg/dl or higher. Tryglycerides should be less than 150 mg/dl and your total cholesterol should be less than 200 mg/dl. Blood Pressure should be checked yearly and more frequently if you have blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is considered 120/80 or lower. Blood pressures higher than 130/85 should be addressed with your physician and lifestyle changes and medication may be indicated.
Take care of yourself. Physical and mental health is closely related. If you are physically healthy it is easier to feel good about yourself. Staying physically active, helping others, choosing healthy lifestyles and caring for yourself will enhance your overall wellbeing.