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- Off to a Slow Start?
Hello again and happy new year!
How are you doing with your health goals so far this year?
One of the responses I got to last week’s newsletter came from Patti, who gave me permission to share the following:
“As per usual, I have enjoyed your newsletter and found it intersects with something going on in my life! I have deliberately begun eating more fruit! I also went back to the fitness studio last night for the first time in over three months. I didn’t do what the class was doing, but I did things on my own that my physical therapist and orthopedic doctor recommended. Anyway, it’s a start!”
What about you? I’d love to hear from you, so please don’t hesitate to write me. Just reply to this message.
This week’s news includes more motivation on keeping those fitness resolutions (or “promises”!).
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To your health,
Yasmine S. Ali, MD
Weekly Heart-Health News: The Highlights
My Take:
Across the pond, people are rejoining fitness centers in large numbers, too, as part of their new year’s resolutions. What is interesting is that 55% of gym-goers in this survey felt that gym membership was important in helping them manage a short- or long-term health condition.
I often see this, too—and find it to be the case for myself personally, in fact. After knee surgery (ACL reconstruction) decades ago, I learned to use so many of the machines at the gym for cross-training purposes, a habit that has persisted to this day. After my hip replacement a couple of years ago, I rejoined my local Y as soon as the COVID pandemic receded enough to make it safe to do so. Because I could no longer practice tae kwon do (I am a 4th-degree black belt), I turned to running, ellipticals, cycling, T’ai Chi, yoga, bag work, and even shooting hoops!
You might work out to lose or maintain weight, to build or maintain muscle mass, to improve your cardiovascular fitness, to recover from a surgery, or for many other physical reasons.
Regardless of the physical reason, what most people find—and what is reflected in this article, too—is that working out makes them feel good mentally, too. In this study, three-quarters of the participants said that keeping fit boosts their mental health.
So, do you have a favorite physical activity that also boosts your mental well-being, and are you making time to do it regularly?
My Take:
It can be tough to get started on your resolutions or health goals, so here is more advice on how to keep those goals on track.
From being an optimist to getting a buddy or group of friends on board with you, this article has some good pointers worth considering as you seek to launch your health journey this year.
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5 Ways to Reduce Your Stress This Year
How to Stay Safe and Healthy This Winter
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