Will Your New Year's Resolution work...this time?

It is the time of year when we reflect on what has happened for us over the last year; whether we met specific goals or captured the changes in our lives that we wish to secure.  I have always been fascinated by the concept of the New Year's Resolutions.  Most of the reports I have read say that for most of us, New Year's Resolutions last for about 3 days on average, and as a population, we resume our normal or "old" habits after this time frame.  Change can be difficult, especially when we are referring to changing health habits that have often been programmed since our childhoods.  It can be done, and let me share some of our patients' experiences that have happened along the way.

If you have read some of my previous articles, you will remember that change takes 3 specific factors in order for it to be successful and long-term. 

1. Change takes a supportive environment (accountability). 

Travis initially came to our office for chronic lower back pain.  I remember the first time I met with him.  We could clearly see through testing why he had back pain, but as we discussed his other health parameters, he stated that he had never been able to determine why his Body Mass Index (BMI) seemed impossible to get into a healthy range.  At the time, he wasn't ready to conquer that health challenge, but we worked on his lower back pain and as that healed, his attitude changed.  Travis embarked on his next great adventure.  He worked with our 8 Weeks to Wellness (8WW) health coach and started working out in our Body In Balance Fitness center.  Travis related with us that through the health coach's ideas, information, follow-up, and support, he was able to make incredible nutritional changes. Our trainers took specific direction from Drs. Scott and myself, so Travis's workouts could be tailored for his body's needs.  Travis started to look forward to his workouts, stating how much fun it was to be challenged but also how important it was for him to have accountability to show up.  By having that accountability from the Body In Balance team, each time he came into the office to weigh in, check in with our health coach, and schedule his work-outs, he felt nurtured and supported. Travis is evidence of what a supportive environment in the process of change can achieve.   

2.  Change takes knowledge. 

Like many Americans (especially women), Kari thought she knew what it would take to lose weight: eat less, move more.  But after years of trying to lose weight on several popular programs and not achieving long-lasting success, she was frustrated.  Like many women, as Kari approached 40, she felt that it would always be difficult for her to lose weight.  I talk with women weekly that tell me that their doctors have told them that their metabolism just "slows down" as we age, so, they should just eat less and keep working out.  This isn't successful for most women.  Why could that be?  This is where the knowledge piece is so important, and that knowledge must be formed into a PLAN.  When we are in our late 20s, we start to lose muscle mass on a daily basis--imagine how this plays out as we approach our late 30s, early 40s and beyond.  Because muscle burns at least 3 times more calories than fat (just at a resting rate), the more muscle that is lost with age, the fewer calories we burn, the less lean our bodies look, and most importantly, we age the least effectively (study after study shows that the amount of lean muscle mass you have (the higher the better) is the number one predictor in keeping you independent as you age). 

In order to change Kari's weight loss dilemma, the whole picture needed to be looked at.  We changed Kari's diet PLAN to support muscle building, we (with our 8WW trainers) changed Kari's workouts for specific strategies for muscle building.  We taught Kari the importance of a routine for stress relief (stress hormones like cortisol spike blood sugar and increase fat storage), and worked to build in key components to improve Kari's overall health through chiropractic and massage (her headaches, lower back and hip pain that interfered with working out and quality of life are resolved).  Being on this journey, rather than the typical "eat less, weight more" was life changing--Kari has lost 20 pounds, but more importantly is stronger, leaner, and happier with her body and life habits.  Knowledge truly is power.

3. Change takes having a Big WHY! 

What does this mean?  Many of you know of Jim Smith, a local Golden realtor that has been on a journey with our team at Body In Balance and 8WW to change his health over the last year.  He has accomplished big success and loves to share his passion for 8WW with others.  Jim's articles about his health journey have inspired others'--one such couple is Tom and Carol.  Tom and Carol came to us last spring in his early 80s, her late 70s.  After meeting with them and learning about their health challenges, we discussed a plan to revolutionize their health.  After this meeting, Tom and Carol knew that in order to accomplish their goals, they would need a strong "why"......what I mean by that is changing your health takes more than motivation--which typically lasts for a few days and dissipates quickly.  Instead, it takes a well-though- out reason of why you want to change.  When Tom and Carol found this "why" for themselves, the 8WW program became pretty simple.  Carol went through their home pantry and gave away or threw out many of the foods that weren't supporting their health.  Tom, who admitted he hated to exercise, actually found it to be pretty tolerable when he remembered his "why" and showed up to Body In Balance's supportive environment.  Tom has change his diabetic status, both Tom and Carol have lost weight, but more importantly are stronger, leaner, and healthier than many people 20 or 30 years younger than them.   Carol tells me almost every time I see her that the 8WW lifestyle is their permanent lifestyle and the best thing they ever did for themselves.

As we embrace 2017, we, the team at Body In Balance, wish you peace, time to "just be", but more importantly, time to reflect on what is most important to you.  You can create any change you want in your life with the Big 3: a supportive environment (accountability), knowledge (a plan), and a big "why"!   Because most New Year's resolutions revolve around making healthier nutritional choices, join us on Monday, January 23, at 6:30 PM  at Applebees for our Dinner with the Doc series.  January's Dinner with the Doc will be taught by Dr. Leah and is called: "Stop Making Resolutions & Start Making Real Changes." We are absolutely passionate about helping people in our community with health challenges, so make sure to bring someone you care about so they too can learn how to Create Health by Choice, Not by Chance.  We only have 30 seats available, so make sure to reserve your and your guests' seat ASAP.  Dinner may be complimentary, but the information will be life changing.