Do you have faith? Studies show that spiritual practices, including prayer, worship and service to others influence our health in a positive manner.
Career goals
Think it's a little far-fetched to include career under the umbrella of health? People who consider themselves successful tend to sleep better and are less likely to suffer from stress-related disorders. Since stress management is an integral part of living life energetically, it should be a priority for all.
Do you enter each day consciously with clear goals and expectations? Working toward something specific will always reap greater benefits over those who just show up.
Would your co-workers see you as a person with integrity? Salary and position are not indicators of success. At the end of a workday, the goal is to be able to look in the mirror and smile. Doing an honest day's work with pride will earn you restful, restorative sleep.
Do you give back? Thinking outside yourself and reaching out to help others is a generous way of expressing gratitude for all that has come your way. Altruism does the heart good.
Have you achieved a personal/career balance in your life? Putting your work first at the expense of your family will not end well.
Are you fiscally responsible? Coming to terms with and living within your means may be uncomfortable for a while but will always pay you dividends. Self-respect is priceless.
Don't forget to stretch
Do you challenge your mind, body and spirit? I believe in the saying "If you always do what you've done, you'll always get what you got." In order to make a change for the better, in terms of health and wellness, you have to decide to change the way you go through life. Ignoring personal needs and failing to be proactive about diet and exercise will cause you to age faster and be more vulnerable to disease. So stretch yourself -- figure out what you are passionate about -- the environment, civic duty, helping others, policy change, animal rights, discrimination. How can you be part of the greater good?
Do the math
Did you know you are the sum of the five people with whom you spend the most time? If you are consistently around others who don't pursue health, chances are you won't either. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people that support your desire to be healthy is a huge step in the right direction.
Here's hoping these questions will supply you with the answers you need to choose your new year's resolutions wisely.
Cindy Boggs, fitness presenter, author and Activate America director, has been an ACE-certified coordinator/instructor since 1989. Send your questions about fitness, training or health to YMCA of Kanawha Valley, 100 YMCA Drive, Charleston, WV 25311, or e-mail cindys...@aol.com. Look for Cindy's award-winning fitness advice book, "CindySays ... You Can Find Health in Your Hectic World," on her website, www.cindysays.com, or contact the YMCA at 304-340-3527.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- As the new year patiently awaits the stroke of midnight, each of us is given the opportunity to evaluate the accomplishments and failures regarding our health during the past 365 days. As expected, we've accumulated some good along with the bad -- after all, few of us can boast of uninterrupted motivation.
If we were to look back
Some of us will be proud of physical goals met, weight lost or muscle gained, while others will bury their heads in the sand and prefer not to revisit the times they thought about their health, then looked the other way. Either way, it's sand through the hourglass and there's no altering the way we spent our time in 2010.
However, we do have a few days to consider what resolutions we'll bite off and chase down with champagne. So, instead of settling for last-minute wishful thinking, why not make a list of a few specific goals that just might be doable and beneficial to our health?
It's helpful to separate and clarify what we hope for in 2011. For example, personal goals are different from career or financial goals, but all are important to our health.
Throughout the year, I receive hundreds of provocative questions that lead me in wonderful directions. Now it's your turn as I pose a few to you.
Personal goals
These address your needs with regard to physical health, family and spirituality. Ask yourself what you want in these areas and then formulate a solid plan as to how to get it. Here is a checklist of questions:
Are you spending adequate time with your loved ones -- children, parents, siblings? Families who are connected are generally healthier.During family conversations, are you truly listening to the needs of others, or are you simply intent on being heard? Being present means listening to what the other person says and accepting the other person's thoughts and feelings even when they are different from yours.Do you feel you set good examples in terms health for those you love? Children with inactive parents who pay little attention to nutrition will most likely follow in those footsteps.Are you getting the recommended daily allowance of laughter? Your sense of humor is a powerful tool and will help you live longer. It is an antidote to stress, pain and conflict.Are you a caretaker for everyone except yourself? Those who put themselves last in life will go first. You are valuable. Carving out quality time for your mind, body and spirit will not only afford you a longer and healthier life, but also give you extra time and energy to help others.Do you not only schedule but keep your medical and dental checkups? Do you follow your physician's recommendations for yearly health screenings such as blood work, mammogram, colonoscopy, prostate, teeth cleanings, etc? Skipping these is equivalent to driving your car without the gas gauge hooked up but with far worse consequences.Do you have faith? Studies show that spiritual practices, including prayer, worship and service to others influence our health in a positive manner.Career goals
Think it's a little far-fetched to include career under the umbrella of health? People who consider themselves successful tend to sleep better and are less likely to suffer from stress-related disorders. Since stress management is an integral part of living life energetically, it should be a priority for all.
Do you enter each day consciously with clear goals and expectations? Working toward something specific will always reap greater benefits over those who just show up.Would your co-workers see you as a person with integrity? Salary and position are not indicators of success. At the end of a workday, the goal is to be able to look in the mirror and smile. Doing an honest day's work with pride will earn you restful, restorative sleep.Do you give back? Thinking outside yourself and reaching out to help others is a generous way of expressing gratitude for all that has come your way. Altruism does the heart good.Have you achieved a personal/career balance in your life? Putting your work first at the expense of your family will not end well.Are you fiscally responsible? Coming to terms with and living within your means may be uncomfortable for a while but will always pay you dividends. Self-respect is priceless.Don't forget to stretch
Do you challenge your mind, body and spirit? I believe in the saying "If you always do what you've done, you'll always get what you got." In order to make a change for the better, in terms of health and wellness, you have to decide to change the way you go through life. Ignoring personal needs and failing to be proactive about diet and exercise will cause you to age faster and be more vulnerable to disease. So stretch yourself -- figure out what you are passionate about -- the environment, civic duty, helping others, policy change, animal rights, discrimination. How can you be part of the greater good?
Do the math
Did you know you are the sum of the five people with whom you spend the most time? If you are consistently around others who don't pursue health, chances are you won't either. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people that support your desire to be healthy is a huge step in the right direction.
Here's hoping these questions will supply you with the answers you need to choose your new year's resolutions wisely.
Cindy Boggs, fitness presenter, author and Activate America director, has been an ACE-certified coordinator/instructor since 1989. Send your questions about fitness, training or health to YMCA of Kanawha Valley, 100 YMCA Drive, Charleston, WV 25311, or e-mail cindys...@aol.com. Look for Cindy's award-winning fitness advice book, "CindySays ... You Can Find Health in Your Hectic World," on her website, www.cindysays.com, or contact the YMCA at 304-340-3527.
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