happy new yearA new year is upon us, once again.  Each year, it creeps up on us faster and faster causing us to ponder where the time has gone.  It’s also a time of reflection of all that life throws at you–the good, the bad and the ugly.  Life is full of both moments of joy and wrenching times of sorrow; the wonderful feeling of being healthy marred by days when we’re sick.  All of these moments take a collective toll on who we are and who become as we get older.

As many of you know, I have struggled with my health for the last 3 years with Lyme Disease and 3 tick co-infections.  Not only has it taken a toll on me, but it’s been extremely difficult on my family.  There are still days when I struggle walking to the bathroom or have trouble comprehending a simple set of directions.  This has made writing nearly impossible on some days.   So thank you for your patience and caring words.  I remain positive that I will someday come out stronger from this than I was before.  So with the promise of a new year, it’s time for both serious self-refection and a plan for positive and healthy changes.

Have you taken the time to ask yourself how you feel this year?  Do you feel smarter?  Stronger?  Healthier?  Of do you feel beaten down and unhealthy?  If you feel the latter, it’s time to make some small changes in your life that can positively alter the course of your road to healthy aging.

  1. Start with a Healthy Attitude.  One of the most important adjustments you can make is to start believing you are happy AND healthy!  Look on the bright side of things even when it’s hard.  Think positive thoughts before you go to sleep and be grateful when you wake up–every day.  As you keep feeding your brain these positive messages, you will eventually start to believe them!
  2. Choose your Friends Wisely.  If you surround yourself withfriends “friends” who don’t love and support you, they are NOT your friends.  You know who they are–and you don’t need them in your life.
  3. Eat real food.  Go through your fridge and pantry and get rid of all foods that aren’t real.  In short, look at the labels and if there are ingredients you can’t pronounce, throw it away. Our bodies are meant to eat foods like vegetables, grains, and proteins–not the crazy stuff they put in a Lean Cuisine.
  4. Exercise your mind and body.  Figure out what makes you happy and do it.  It may be walking in the park, taking a group exercise class or doing yoga in your basement.  And don’t forget to stimulate your mind.  With hundreds of stations on the television, it’s easy to choose that over reading a book.  Whatever forms of exercise you choose for your mind and body, be sure stick with it long enough to make it a part of your life for good.

So let’s work together to make 2015 our best year ever!  I’ll be sharing exercise routines, healthy recipes and who-knows-what-else.  Thanks for your comments, suggestions and continued support.

 

Happy New Year,

 

Molly