Heart Health
Did you make some Heart-Healthy New Years resolutions? Great, go for it! Know exactly what you want — reduce LDL cholesterol, quit smoking, get regular physical activity, etc.
• Make sure they are specific and measurable. Goals should state what needs to happen and by what date. Write them down and review them often.
• Set long-term and short-term goals. Reaching certain goals takes a long time. To stay motivated, be sure to set realistic short-term goals that will lead to your final goal.
• Develop a plan for each goal. Brainstorm strategies or steps to move closer to the goal.
Reward Yourself: When you set goals together, plan a reward for reaching each one. Rewards can be as simple as going to a movie, reading a good book or playing a round of golf. Select small rewards for reaching short-term goals (for example, completing weekly physical activity targets). Plan bigger rewards, such as buying a new piece of furniture, going to visit out-of-town friends or taking a vacation for attaining a long-term goal. Be sure to list a reward when setting each goal.
Track Your Lifestyle Habits: Many people are unaware of how inactive they are, how many grams of saturated fat, trans fat, and milligrams of cholesterol they eat and how their negative thinking triggers negative feelings. Keeping a daily log will show the patterns that contribute to your health risks. Tracking personal habits will help you develop a plan of action specific to your loved one’s particular needs. It also helps keep motivation high.
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