News
Make Health and Wellness More Than a Resolution
January 09, 2012
Kim Becker, Physical Therapy Assistant, Kewanee Hospital Rehabilitation Services
When the clock strikes 12 on December 31st, many of us start thinking about our resolutions for the coming year. It should come as no surprise to anyone that 70% of Americans have ‘losing weight’ and ‘leading a healthier lifestyle’ at the top of their list. The problem with resolutions: they are short lived and people have a hard time sticking to them.
“At Kewanee Hospital, we encourage individuals to make healthy lifestyle changes,” stated Kim Becker, Physical Therapy Assistant at Kewanee Hospital Rehabilitation Services. “Losing weight is just one piece of the puzzle. There are other factors to consider.”
When looking to improve overall lifestyle, individuals should focus on a variety of factors: nutrition/diet, exercise, proper sleep habits, mental health (stress management) and education (learning more about a healthier lifestyle).
“We are all guilty of making excuses when it comes to lifestyle changes,” Becker adds. “My advice is to start out slowly, at a pace you can commit to, and the results will follow.”
Some may think they are too far from their goal to change things now. By walking a little more every day, individuals can shrink their waist size in just 12 weeks. By adding an average of 470 steps a day (about 5 minutes) a person could lose as much as a quarter of an inch from their waist.
Lack of energy is another excuse. Research shows that people who add just a few extra steps per day at an easy pace have more energy than those who are sedentary. Studies show that people who reported persistent fatigue found that if they rode a stationary bike three times a week at a low intensity got a bigger energy boost than those who did not exercise (and certainly a bigger boos than those who reached for a soda or a candy bar).
‘I just don’t have the time.’ Most people think they need to dedicate 30-60 minutes per day to exercise, which can seem unattainable and overwhelming. But it is proven that you can get a better workout in just 20 minutes, with the right intensity. Your family’s healthcare provider can help you decide how much exercise is appropriate.
“It is important to remember that the weight didn’t come on overnight – so we can’t expect it to come off overnight,” Becker said. “Keep your focus off the scale, and instead focus on being healthier, happier, and striving to live longer.”
When kicking off your new wellness plan, start by asking yourself:
- What is my goal?
- What are my weaknesses?
- What motivates me?
Use the answers to these questions as a catalyst to get your program started. A healthier lifestyle helps us feel better, work better, and to live longer for our families.
Kewanee Hospital Rehabilitation Services offers individualized treatment programs to meet the needs of patients it serves. Services provided include inpatient and outpatient Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology; Competitive Edge sports enhancement/acceleration; the EDGE wellness program; and massage therapy. For more information call 309.852.7931.
