The Health Sciences Spotlight

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

  

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As January 1, 2012 rolled around, I, like many, had to contemplate what to choose as my New Year’s resolution.  I ended up with the vague concept of “re-evaluating my lifestyle.” Now if this resolution seems too broad, or, if David Bowie’s legendary song is now echoing in your head, please humor me by following my thought process.

When trying to elaborate on what “re-evaluating my lifestyle” meant, what someone said something to me the other day kept popping up in my mind, “…when you decide to make your health a priority.” Granted, we have all heard this phrase before, but for some reason this time it appeared to have more meaning.

We all evaluate what it means to us to live a healthy lifestyle and when you consider a change in your current habits and routines, it is useful to prioritize what changes need to occur first. However, I really began to think of the overall concept, what could be more of a priority than your physical health? It has been proven that keeping your physical self healthy is related to mental health balance (after all, your brain is part of your body), and really, every aspect of your body is connected. No sooner do I digress into my rabbit hole of the connections between all forms of personal health, does it dawn on me: I need to exercise more. 

So the questions begin to flow: how do I accomplish this new goal of exercising more? What form of exercise do I enjoy most? What form of exercise do I enjoy least? What are my goals? How much time and money do I have to designate to exercise? How much motivation and determination do I have to muster? How often?...and the list goes on.

Over the last 2 weeks, I have answered questions, have developed a plan that works for me, and am excited to begin this new journey to a healthier body, mind, and life. I am realizing that it is a decision to make my health a priority, and much to my dismay, in the past (by virtue of inaction) I have made the decision to not make my health a priority.

I propose that in 2012 we all resolve to re-evaluate our lifestyles, our preferences and our goals just to be sure we are consciously making daily decisions that reflect our priorities and make the necessary ch-ch-ch-changes. There is no better time like the present - especially when most gyms are waiving their enrollment fees for the New Year.