New Year's Resolutions.........Yes or No?

It's that time of year! Time to wave 2010 goodbye and make your plans for 2011. Make it your year to be "healthy"! Notice I didn't say "lose weight" or "diet"!

I removed the word "diet" from my vocabulary a long time ago. Diets don't work. We all know that. Just the word "diet" has a negative aura about it! You have to change the way you think about food and exercise. If you use the words "lifestyle change" and "moving" instead - it sounds more realistic!

Any small change you can make will make a big difference in how you feel. It's hard to explain how
good I feel after I walk on the treadmill or do 20-30 minutes on the elliptical. Of course it benefits my blood sugar as well, but more importantly it clears out the cobwebs and immediately lifts my spirits and puts me in a better mood. I have a very busy life, and some days I can only do 15 or 20 minutes here and there -- but it all adds up. Don't think you have to set aside a full hour in order to get a good workout. Always aim for 30 minutes - once you start you will find yourself going longer.
You don't even have to have equipment. Stand in front of your TV and march in place and swing your arms. Park further away from the store entrance. Do some "Jane Fonda" exercise DVD's!Jane has just released a new series for older people and they are low key and easy to do! (My 73 year old mother just started last week and she is really loving it!). And "take the stairs"! I promise if you do just a little bit every day you will feel the difference.

As for what you eat ...remember "You Are What you Eat"! I recommend "Eat This, Not that'!
It's a great book and has alot of great suggestions on substitutions. The more "real" food you can eat - the better. Stay away from packaged and processed foods - eat fruit when your sweet tooth is calling. Change your bread from white to stone ground wheat. Eat brown rice instead of white. grab a handful of grapes instead of cookies!

A few small changes can add years to your life, and more importantly make you feel SO MUCH better! Good luck in 2011!