The “HOW” in Achieving Better Health in the New Year
“Many people resolve the big three: eat healthier, exercise and lose weight,” says Ann Smith, RD, CDE, registered dietitian at Clark Memorial Hospital. “Any one of those is a significant challenge that, unless you are ready to make a change, will be difficult to achieve.”
Smith suggests that if you are going to focus on living healthier, that you start by ensuring you have a strong commitment to change and are prepared to cope with the roadblocks that will try to stop you.
“The two go hand-in-hand. If you are committed to making small, yet significant changes to your lifestyle, you will be ready when faced with temptations,” she says.
It is possible to defeat yourself before you ever start your New Year’s resolutions. Most individuals who make their resolution at the last minute or simply react or jump to a resolution out of habit will not succeed, warns Smith.
“If you know you want to change your eating habits, then start early by cleaning out cabinets of tempting foods. You can also change your grocery shopping habits weeks before the New Year,” Smith says.
Perhaps the worst thing you can do when making a New Year’s resolution is to frame your resolution with absolutes.
“If you are just starting to make changes, remember to take it one step at a time. By forbidding yourself the things you like most, you are incorporating roadblocks into your own plan,” Smith says. “No foods are off limits, you just have to take things in moderation, remembering the plan you have to accomplish your ultimate goal.”
Once you have made the commitment, you may find that knowing where to make changes is a problem. Understanding the difference between good fats and bad fats, how many calories should be consumed each day, and detailing an exercise plan may be out of your realm of knowledge.
“Knowledge can be powerful; however it can also be overwhelming and misleading if you don’t understand everything,” Smith says.
Clark Memorial Hospital has put together a comprehensive program that will answer questions and put you on the path to a happy, healthier you.
The program is called Ask HOW (Healthy Options Weight loss), and is facilitated by Smith and Regina DeCaro, CES, CRT, CFT, coordinator of the Lois A. Kratz Health and Wellness Center at Clark Memorial. The two-hour session encompasses changing eating habits; reading nutritional labels; learning the difference between good and bad fats; understanding the art of combining foods to control energy and appetite; and improving health and reducing risk factors as well as creating a workout plan that is achievable.
“We are excited to offer Ask HOW to the community. So many people want to make changes in their life and are not sure which way to go,” Smith says. “With this program, we will answer their questions, establish a plan of action and remove the fear of getting started.”
The fee for this program is $50. This will include instructional materials and the book to get you started with a comprehensive nutrition plan. Various program dates and time are available.
For more information on the Ask HOW program or to register, call (812) 283-2079.
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