My Diet My Life: Current Article

 

It's Resolution Time Again
by
Terry Tasche, R.N., B.S.N.

Copyright © Terry Tasche - All Rights Reserved

Happy New Year! It’s Resolution time again. That one time a year when I look at the past, peer into the future and realize nothing is going to change until I do things differently in the present, in this moment, today. Today I resolve to live a healthy life.

Weeks and months of inactivity and poor health choices can lead to years of damaging effects, which don’t improve one’s lot in life. But, the damaging effects may be reversed when I think of changes that I'd like to make today and resolve to do them.

A resolution is more effective when it is written down. A written resolution is really a goal. A written goal is a REAL resolution. Writing it down as a goal is the first step. Putting pen to paper is a resolution in itself, because it means I am serious. I want to do it, and I mean it! Then, my resolution can turn into an accomplishment when the action is taken to do it.

And that's how it works. So, let’s get started. Setting a goal helps keep me focused and puts a plan in place for today, and just for today. Tomorrow is not here, and yesterday is gone, so let’s plan today to eat healthy food, even if it’s just one apple, and to take a walk, even if it’s only for 20 or 30 minutes. This is a healthy start for today. The present is here, and today’s a present to me, the gift of my life.

Plan the path you’ll take today. Where will you walk, and what will you eat? Quoting Alan Lakein, "Planning is about bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now."  I may not know how much I need to change until I start. More is revealed as I begin and continue with healthy choices. Writing down what I eat reveals much about my choices. It is one of the most clarifying exercises I have ever done. It brings my actions into clear focus. It allows me to view my life from a new perspective. I can step back and review and evaluate.

A resolution is only an idea; it's not an action. A resolution may lead to a decision to do something, but as the story goes: three frogs were sitting on a log. One made a decision to jump off. How many were left? Three were left, because one had only made a decision. He didn't actually jump off the log.

A resolution is only as good as the actions that follow. The actions are the real life changers. The actions are what will get me where I want to go. The actions may be the hard part. However, the actions can be easy when they are broken down into little everyday accomplishments, called life layers. The small actions layered upon one another can lead to a better today and a healthier tomorrow.

Small actions are not overwhelming and can be accomplished one simple action at a time. Losing 10, 20, 50, or even 100 pounds may seem overwhelming. But realizing that 100 pounds is not eaten in one sitting helps us see that it can come off the same way it went on, just two ounces a day. Losing two ounces a day adds up to losing about one pound a week. That is totally doable. Of course, it can be lost more quickly, but that may be overwhelming.  And, then it's gained back quickly, too, as crash diets usually do.

Slow and steady wins the race, and just lose a little everyday. Bring down the blood pressure point by point. Lower the cholesterol and *BMI with every healthy bite. The commitment to do the small actions results in keeping the resolution that started the whole process: the resolution to have a healthy life. So, get started today by eating an apple, fruits and vegetables, by taking a walk. Don’t delay! Because life’s too short!

“Life’s Too Short,” a PPA Loan Collection print.

Copyright © Terry Tasche - All Rights Reserved

*BMI (Body Mass Index) calculation = weight in pounds x 703 divided by height in inches = total x height in inches.  BMI values: 17-20 under weight, 20-25 good, 25-30 overweight, 30-40 obese, over 40 morbidly obese.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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It's fun to "paint" using Corel Painter, and then print the final art piece on canvas

Copyright © Terry Tasche - All Rights Reserved