Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure. ~Don Wilder and Bill Rechin
January is over and many people will have started to let their New Year’s Resolutions fall to the wayside. It’s time to assess where you are at and to ditch the excuses if you aren’t hitting your goals. The timing of February’s Heart Health month is just right, for everyone that is on the edge of the wagon, just about to fall off. It’s a good time to remember your “why.” Why do you want to be healthy? Is it to be around for your kids of grandkids? Is it so you can live a better quality of life? Is it because you have a life’s mission that you want to carry out to make the world a better place? Or maybe it’s just that you want to look good and fit into your pants. That’s a good “why” too.
Don’t be one of the 92% of people who fail at their resolution. Although I am not a big advocate for resolutions per se, I prefer ongoing goal setting, but I do think if you did bother to set a goal that started January 1, you should do your best to stick with it. Your heart will thank you in the long run. Remember your “why” and keep sticking with your wellness plan.
Tips from Liz Jones
Steps to lasting change:
• Step 1: Wellness Assessment & Goal Setting
• Step 2: Planning/Nutrition
• Step 3: Confidence Building & Social Support
• Step 4: Stress Management
• Step 5: Barrier Busting
• Step 6: Relapse Prevention
Being physically active, not smoking, eating clean and drinking water, getting quality sleep, and having a positive outlook are some of the most important things you can do.
• PRIORITIZE
– Don’t try to change everything at once
– Is your EXCUSE more important than your goal?
• PROCESS
– Break it down
• PERSONAL
– What’s your “why?”
In honor of heart health month, here are some great tips and facts from the American Heart Association:
FAST- Stroke Warning signs
– Face Drooping Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.
– Arm Weakness Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
– Speech Difficulty Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “the sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?
– Time to call 9-1-1 If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.
Heart Attack warning signs
• Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
• Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
• May include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
Link to 60 second CPR lesson: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/CPRAndECC/HandsOnlyCPR/Hands-Only-CPR_UCM_440559_SubHomePage.jsp
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].
