Happy New Year! This is the time we might reflect on the year ending and also look forward to the one beginning. It is a time of transition not only on the calendar but in our minds. In general, we all hope to better in the next year. Thinking of the recession alone is enough to bring our thoughts about the future spiraling downward especially if you have watched your retirement savings sink lower and lower. There is another type of investment to consider for the future. Your health.  Your investment in your health will not only save you money because you won’t have to go the doctor as much, but you will feel better and improve conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, fibromyalgia and obesity. Health care costs continue to rise annually and more of the costs are being passed onto you.

Consider this exercise: as you are preparing your paper work for taxes, add up all of your health care bills, co-pays and medicines. Then compare that with a cost of a pair of good walking shoes. If you know you need help with exercise or have a complicated medical history, compare the cost to an exercise membership because you will need more instruction when starting your program.  If you don’t have a complicated medical history, start a walking program 5 days a week. Start with ten minutes, and increase your time by 10% each week up to 35- 40 minutes. The important thing in the beginning is to “show up” and make it a habit.

New Year’s resolutions are common at this time of year. Thinking about last year, I had three things I wanted to improve. Mid way through the year, I wasn’t doing well on my goals so I thought I should focus on one goal. I wasn’t feeling successful in my personal growth. Thus, I became a bit negative about myself. We tend to be our own harshest critics and those negative thoughts impede us from taking action. I have read health articles that mentioned the health care industry should “give up” on the rural areas of our country because the folks are too set in their eating and lifestyle habits to care about changing. I disagree with that. I have personally met several Nelson born residents who have made incredible steps in their health journeys- on their own! I think most people would like to be healthy. Our role as health care providers is to find a way for you to be successful. So, this year, choose ONE thing to focus on in your health plan. It may be starting a walking program, taking one exercise class a week, cutting your meal portions, cutting sodas or reducing sweets. Keep track daily of how you do on a calendar. Keep a positive attitude knowing that every small step you do to improve your health will have a positive outcome, regardless of how insignificant it seems to you. Don’t beat yourself up if you get off track- just get back in the saddle again. And, reward yourself with nonfood items.  It all starts with the first step!