Bartlett Regional | HouseCalls | Late Fall 2016

It’s that time of year when many of us sing an old familiar tune—and it’s not “Auld Lang Syne.” Around the New Year’s holiday, we vow to change. Perhaps to lose weight, stop smoking or reform our no-exercise ways. Unfortunately, the resolutions we’re good at making, we’re also good at breaking. But it doesn’t have to be like that. This year, set the stage for resolutions that stick by following these suggestions: Keep it real. Don’t expect to drop 30 pounds by February or to dive right in at the gym every night. Pin your hopes on something more realistic—like a modest weight loss of maybe 10 pounds at first. Be specific. Vague resolutions, such as “I’ll exercise more,” won’t go far. Be clear about what you plan to do. For example, how many days will you work out each week and for how many minutes? Don’t let setbacks stop you. If you do fall back into an old habit, don’t abandon your resolution—and all that you’ve accomplished. Figure out what went wrong, and work toward a fix. Sources:AcademyofNutritionandDietetics;Centers forDiseaseControlandPrevention A positive start How to keep those New Year’s resolutions from unraveling 15.1 % OF U.S. ADULTS 18 AND OLDER CURRENTLY SMOKE CIGARETTES. MORE MEN THAN WOMEN CURRENTLY SMOKE. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The percentage of U.S. adults 18 and older who meet the federal guidelines for aerobic physical activity. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 49 The percentage of people enrolled in the National Weight Control Registry who watch less than 10 hours of TV per week. National Weight Control Registry Sixty-two www.bartletthospital.org 13