Is it Time to think about Healthy New Years Resolution?

A healthy lifestyle requires commitment and discipline. I firmly believe this fact. It is not easy to fight the constant barage of environmental forces that call for all of us to neglect our health. Its even more difficult during this holiday season. Cakes, cookies, lack of time to exercise and stress surrounding the holiday. These are just a few of the negative factors surrounding each of us. But I think that the holidays and the end of the year is also a time to take stock of our lives. We are truly blessed, even in the current economic crisis, to have the opportunity to spend another year with our family and friends.

Im suggesting to all of my patients that they evaluate if they are really doing everything within their control to improve their personal health. I want them to be brutally honest in a quiet self-reflective moment. If you are not, and most of us are not-make a commitment right not to first determine why it is important you to become healthier. A strong "Why" is the first step because without the deep motivation change is temporary. Is it your children, grandchildren, retirement with your spouse. There is a different reason for each of us.

I invite you to visit www.personalwellnesswheel.com to get tips on creating your own independent personal health plan to follow for 2009. You don't need a lot of money, a fancy gym or a new exercise outfit. There is no limitation beyond taking the first step to say that I want to change. Make the commitment to improve your blood pressure, your cholesterol, your blood sugar or any other medical condition that you may suffer. Pledge to improve your health so that your doctor can safely decrease some your medications over time and stop relying on the pharmaceutical crutch.