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Health & Fitness

Health Resolutions Can Happen Any Time of Year

Dr. Sam Tocco, Clawson, Michigan Chiropractor, shares his best advice for keeping New Year's resolutions, and encourages making health resolutions all year long.

Some patients have asked me if I have a New Year's resolution this year. I have a few that I'm working on, but I don't usually wait until a new year to make them! But, yes, this time of year truly lends itself nicely to change, reassessing, and taking charge to create a different kind of year ahead. Resolutions can take place any time of year, and I've always highly recommended not to wait until the next year to start! Here are some tips that have worked personally for me.

1. Change how you think about it, and think in the positive. Instead of thinking, "Darn, I have to eat better so I can lose weight". Replace it with,
"I want to eat better so I can have more energy, feel great, and give my body what it deserves to be healthy." Or, if you have decided to become a non-smoker, focus and say just that, and not the negative "I'm going to stop smoking." When we focus on the negative that's what we draw to us, smoking, for example, instead of "becoming a non-smoker." Instead of looking at it as drudgery, get excited that you are really putting yourself first. And, when you do this, great things will happen.

2. If you fall off, get back on. Some of us tend to try and be "all or nothing." "It's better to do a little something and get right back on track despite the detour you might take. You've already made your desision, so get right back to it— be gentle on yourself.

3. Accept that progress takes time. Years ago, it took some time (a few years) to rid me 100% of my seizures (which I had for 12 years) under chiropractic care, for example. But sometimes, we want things to happen right now and when they don't, we are discouraged. This might make you think a little differently about it:

"When you started something that you knew was good for you and you
didn't notice anything good right away, how does that compare to all the things you know are bad for you, but you didn't notice anything bad right away?"— Dr. Matthew Alvord

I'll leave you with one last thought. Even if you change a little every day, let's say 1%. Over the course of an entire year, that's a lot of change! As you know, we're here to help you any way we can. Hope you have a great 2012!

Dr. Sam Tocco

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