Month: November 2014

“The key is taking responsibility and initiative, deciding what your life is about and prioritizing your life around the most important things.” —Stephen Covey

Some days we all feel like we are chasing after multiple rabbits at the same time and trying to catch one of them. “The man who chases two rabbits, catches none,” is a Chinese proverb that makes a lot of sense. When we cannot focus on the goal at hand, it is hard to achieve anything. How many times have you felt like you worked all day, but don’t know what you have gotten done? I know I have many examples of that in my own life, being overly busy, and yet feeling like I haven’t accomplished all that I need to. I may have worked out, but my training was rushed and weak. I may have worked for nine hours, but I still have things at the top of my pile that need to be done the next day. I may have felt like all I ever do is pick up after other people, but there is still a pile of my clothes that are sitting on the bean bag in my bedroom that need to be put away.

So, what do we do about this? I used to use a Franklin Covey day planner that has tips and quotes from Steven Covey in it. One of the most important tips I always remember (although sometimes forget to put into practice- thus the scenario mentioned above) is, “the key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” Our health and wellness is hopefully, for most people, one of their top three priorities. You can’t take care of your family if you don’t take care of your health. You can’t accomplish everything that you may want to in your career if you don’t have the energy or stamina to give your full attention to your work. One of the best things about my work is that I get to connect with people on a one-on-one basis and help him or her make positive changes in their life, so if I am distracted by my “to do” list, I not only am robbing them of the focus they deserve, I’m robbing myself of one of the things I enjoy most. If your spiritual life is also one of your top priorities, again, remembering that your body is a temple is helpful to have the connection to spirit that you are seeking and making time to practice your beliefs. If your fitness is a priority, make sure you make time to schedule in your daily training. If your overall health is important, make the time to prepare clean, healthy meals. If finding work-life balance makes it on your list, make sure to schedule time for massage, yoga, hot baths, or getting out in nature. Your wellness truly is not a luxury, it’s a priority.

Liz Jones is a wellness professional in Rockwall, Mesquite, Wylie and surrounding areas. She is a writer, certified yoga instructor, personal trainer and wellness coach. She holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and Strategic Management, with a graduate certificate in Ethics and Leadership. Her undergraduate studies included communication, business, writing, art, fitness, and dance. Liz Jones can be reached at: [email protected].

As Thanksgiving is upon us, it is the time of year many people will begin to focus on what they are thankful for. One thing that I hope is on your list of gratitude is your health. If you are healthy, being thankful that you are and take steps to stay that way. If you have had some health concerns this year, being thankful for the opportunity to make changes in your life that can reverse or manage your diagnosis. Being truly well is a tough objective as there are many levels and aspects to optimal health: your fitness level, your nutrition, being disease-free, mental health, financial health, and spiritual wellbeing are among the things that affect our lives every day.
According to Mike Adams, the Health Ranger: “Today, more than 95% of all chronic disease is caused by food choice, toxic food ingredients, nutritional deficiencies and lack of physical exercise.”
Currently, in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control Chronic diseases and conditions—such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and arthritis—are among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems.
(source http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/overview/).
• As of 2012, about half of all adults—117 million people—have one or more chronic health conditions. One of four adults has two or more chronic health conditions.
• Seven of the top 10 causes of death in 2010 were chronic diseases. Two of these chronic diseases—heart disease and cancer—together accounted for nearly 48% of all deaths.
• Obesity is a serious health concern. During 2009¬–2010, more than one-third of adults, or about 78 million people, were obese (defined as body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m2). Nearly one of five youths aged 2–19 years was obese (BMI ≥95th percentile).
• Arthritis is the most common cause of disability. Of the 53 million adults with a doctor diagnosis of arthritis, more than 22 million say arthritis causes them to have trouble with their usual activities.
• Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, lower limb amputations other than those caused by injury, and new cases of blindness among adults.
Health Risk Behaviors that Cause Chronic Diseases
Health risk behaviors are unhealthy behaviors you can change. Four of these health risk behaviors—lack of exercise or physical activity, poor nutrition, tobacco use, and drinking too much alcohol—cause much of the illness, suffering, and early death related to chronic diseases and conditions.
• In 2011, more than half (52%) of adults aged 18 years or older did not meet recommendations for aerobic exercise or physical activity. In addition, 76% did not meet recommendations for muscle-strengthening physical activity.
• About half of US adults (47%) have at least one of the following major risk factors for heart disease or stroke: uncontrolled high blood pressure, uncontrolled high LDL cholesterol, or are current smokers.8 Ninety percent of Americans consume too much sodium, increasing their risk of high blood pressure.
• In 2011, more than one-third (36%) of adolescents said they ate fruit less than once a day, and 38% said they ate vegetables less than once a day. In addition, 38% of adults said they ate fruit less than once a day, and 23% said they ate vegetables less than once a day.
• More than 42 million adults—close to 1 of every 5—said they currently smoked cigarettes in 2012. Cigarette smoking accounts for more than 480,000 deaths each year. Each day, more than 3,200 youth aged 18 years or younger smoke their first cigarette, and another 2,100 youth and young adults who smoke every now and then become daily smokers.
• Drinking too much alcohol is responsible for 88,000 deaths each year, more than half of which are due to binge drinking. About 38 million US adults report binge drinking an average of 4 times a month, and have an average of 8 drinks per binge, yet most binge drinkers are not alcohol dependent.
So, please, enjoy your turkey and your family this season, take it easy on the pie and liquor, manage your stress, and don’t fall off the fitness wagon with the idea of “starting over” at the gym on New Year’s Day. Remember, Thanksgiving is one day, not an excuse to eat unhealthy for a week or through the Christmas holiday.
If you’re interested in healthy treat ideas, check out my Facebook page for healthy recipes to get you through the holidays. https://www.facebook.com/liz.jones.1441810

Liz Jones is the Wellness Coordinator for the City of Mesquite and a wellness professional in Rockwall, Mesquite, Wylie and surrounding areas. She is a writer, certified yoga instructor, personal trainer and wellness coach. She holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and Strategic Management, with a graduate certificate in Ethics and Leadership. Her undergraduate studies included communication, business, writing, art, fitness, and dance. Liz Jones can be reached at: [email protected].