HHS HealthBeat (January 01, 2008)

The rest of 2008

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

This really is the first day of the rest of your life. It’s when new year’s resolutions start to become new year’s fact. Are you ready?

Let’s say you’ve decided to live more healthfully.  Let’s look at ways to maximize the chances of success.

You can be specific. People are more likely to get in a 30-minute daily walk if they set specific goals than if they just say they ought to walk more.

Writing it down helps. With an action plan, you can see how you’re measuring up.

Falling short happens, too. But there are ways to deal. Acting Surgeon General Steven Galson advises allowing some flexibility:

``If you miss a day’s exercise or add extra calories, adjust by doing a bit more or eating less. And the next time, when you succeed, congratulate yourself.’’ (10 seconds)

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss

Last revised: January, 02 2008