Have you broken your New Year's resolution?
Do you realize that the average rate of New Year's resolution
failure is nearly 90 percent. It is hard to believe, with such
low success rates, we still set ourselves up year-after-year.
Did you say this is the year "I am going to lose XX lbs" or "I
am going to get fit." We are now well into 2008, so have you
changed your life?  Most of us will have to say no. "Our
lives are too busy," "the kids demand too much of my time," "I
work so many hours, there is no time for me."
I have heard all of these comments over the years. Most are so
afraid of failing again and again so they say, "why bother?"
Over the years, the norm for what size or shape we should be
has changed.
Society sets the stage for many to feel inferior if you do not
look like the hottest actress or actor in Hollywood. Many have
yo-yo dieted year-after-year, trying to achieve the perfect
body.
Diets are bandage solutions for an ongoing problem.  If
you start a program that you cannot continue for the rest of
your life, the weight and  health issues will return. So
the question is how can one make a change?
Let's compare health with starting a new job. We all know, to
make a career change, one must educate oneself in that area.
So, what makes the issue of health any different? Nothing.
We have to stop thinking that we know how to be healthy and
continue to access both information and support. If you have to
fix your car, do you do it yourself? (This doesn't apply if you
are a mechanic!)  So, it is no different with your health.
There are no quick fixes, pills or TV-promised weight loss
solutions that work. Life-long good choices both in food and
exercise, smoking cessation and minimization of alcohol is the
only way.
There are four key components to support your health and
wellness journey:
-  Decide to make the commitment (and do not wait until
next January). Without the dedication to change, you will not
succeed, so mark the date on the calendar.
-  Access professional support in the area of nutrition
and fitness.
-  Set realistic and attainable goals, such as, "I want to
decrease my weight by two pant sizes."
- Support and follow up. If you need to see someone on a
weekly or monthly basis, make sure you have that option. This
should be what works for you.
Remember, this is a journey. There are times during this
journey we have to take a detour ... just get back on track.
Remember, the 80-20 rule. If you make great choices 80 percent
of the time, your body will not mind the other 20 percent.
Start today. You can do it.
Karen Hourtovenko RN(EC), is a health and wellness consultant from Sudbury who writes columns about healthy living for Northern Life.
