The start of the new year is traditionally a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes.
Top New Year resolutions will include:
losing weight
becoming healthier
quitting smoking
bettering yourself
spending more time with family
reduce your debt
get more organized
have more fun.
However, when the recent online poll on our website at www.drumhellermail.com asked whether readers had broken their resolutions yet, 75 per cent answered they didn’t make one.
Making New Year’s Resolutions can be daunting, “there is so much I want to change I wouldn’t know where to start!” and it also comes with a fear of failing.
Making a lifestyle change may work better. Ask yourself what it is you want to change and why.
Losing weight usually comes at the top of the list as not only it will make you healthier, you will also feel better about yourself right away.
Exercise works on the part of the brain that determines what kind of mood you’re in. No matter how bad you feel when you start out, a good run, swim, bike ride, roller blade, or walk will cheer you up. If you’re already feeling good, you’ll feel even better.
The only way to get a healthier body is by eating healthier and exercising more.
There is no shortage of options in the valley to help you achieve this, all you need to do is find activities that you like the sound of and that will suit your lifestyle.
You may need to learn a new skill in the process, which is even better as this will help with your personal development.
Make it fun and make it enjoyable. Start a group with your friends and/or family to try new activities or try new ones on your own, it will be a sure way to get out and meet new people.
See what you like and what you don’t, with all the options available, you are sure to find something that will suit your lifestyle.
Being more active is very safe for most people. However, some people should check with their doctor before they start becoming much more physically active.
So what are your options in the valley?
Gyms seem the obvious places to start.
However, a lot of people join gyms with the best of intentions but fail to carry on after a few weeks.
Judy McIlroy, owner of Everybody’s Gym in Drumheller, recommends variety as she explains “boredom is the first reason not to keep at a new fitness regime. Try a variety of classes, set yourself different challenges. Another way to ensure you keep at it is to have a routine.”
There are also plenty of activities you can do outdoors and indoors.
Taking advantage of the winter, you can try:
Skiing
Tobogoning
Cross country skiing
Skidooing
Ice skating
Snow sledding
There are also activities available all year around.
From traditional sports activities:
Hockey - did you know Scott Crone is looking at forming a peewee girls team?
Curling
Soccer
Football
Basketball
Volleyball
Karate
Taekwondo
Hapkido
Activities you may not have thought about:
Walking - if you have a dog, why not start a dog walking club with friends and their pooch? The Arena also offers place to walk during the winter.
Running or jogging
Dancing - there is a variety of options, from belly dancing to ballroom dancing, and courses available for all ages.
Yoga - good to relax the mind too. Did you know Carol Tudor Dance School is now offering private yoga lessons?
Swimming - the Drumheller aquaplex offers a variety of options and classes to suit all ages.
Rock climbing at the aquaplex.
Bowling
Darts
Laser tags - great way to mix fun with exercise.
Hiking - even in winter with snow boots.
Horse riding
Cycling
Gymnastics, there are classes available for all age groups.
Roller blading - put your ipod on and off you go.
And of course in the spring, why not try golfing, or playing horseshoes?
When you are on your way to becoming more active, you will need to make sure you also take time to look after your body.
Visit a chiropractor to help relieve any pain.
Have a massage to relax your muscles.
Have a spa to relax your body and mind.
Have a pedicure, manicure or facial. Heather Hamilton from Diosa Spa explains “having a manicure or pedicure is a great way to make you feel better as it is such an instant thing where you can tell straight away that they are better.”
Once you have tried a few activities and found one or two you enjoy doing, time to think about eating healthier food.
An exercised body will naturally start craving healthy food, so listen to your body!
Eat enough calories but not too many. The average recommended daily allowance is 2,000 calories, but this depends on your age, sex, height, weight, and physical activity.
Eat a wider variety of foods. This is your opportunity to expand your range of choices by trying new foods, especially vegetables, whole grains, or fruits. Try to get fresh, local produce. Did you know the Drumheller and District Further Education is offering a class on healthy cooking on a budget on Saturday, January 30?
Keep portions moderate. If you are the type who has to finish everything on a plate, use smaller plates. In restaurants, choose a starter instead of an entrée, and don’t order supersized anything.
Drink more water, not only is this good for you to help flush the system, but water is also a natural hunger suppressant
Limit sugary foods, salt, and refined-grain products.
Don’t be too hard on yourself, occasionally allow yourself your favorite food.
One step at a time. Establishing new food habits is much easier if you focus on and take action on one food group or food fact at a time.
As with exercising, eating healthier needn’t be a chore. Make it fun, get the kids involved, discover new fruits, vegetables, try out new healthy recipes.
Take it in turn to have dinner parties with friends where each bring a healthy dish.
Dr Sue also provides more tips and tricks about healthy eating on our website.
If you need a helping hand, why not try having a full body analysis? Jackie Boyd from Boyd's Alternative Health recommends this as a good way to investigate the origin of your body’s unbalanced health and she can then help you come up with a plan to deal with how and why your body deals with stress the way it does and reverse it back to its proper balance.
Cori Grieve, from Health Within, also offers a helping hand. Cori offers three methods to achieve your goals and explains “combine all 3 methods and you’ll achieve all your goals by increasing your self-esteem and learning to respect and value who you are!”
The BodyTalk System, which is energy medicine that balances stress and promotes healing in the body.
Sho Tai & Iridology, a simple, safe and natural method of finding deficiencies in the physical body.
Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method, a safe, quick and healthy protocol to help you loose weight.
Drumheller offers a wide range of activities to help you achieve that healthy mind in your healthy body, we will be discovering the possibilities next week.
