Gearing Up for the New Year!

Many of you may or may not know that I write for the Community Newsflash each month. Since the New Year is fast approaching, I decided to focus on helping my readers set attainable New Years Resolutions. I decided to post the article because so many of us have a hard time keeping our New Year's Resolutions. ENJOY!

GEARING UP FOR THE NEW YEAR

It’s that time again! Its time to make that New Years Resolution and map out a plan of how to accomplish that goal before the next year rolls around. Most of our New Years Resolutions revolve around losing that holiday weight or becoming more financially stable. As I have said before, I’m neither an accountant nor a financial advisor, therefore I will focus on helping you set and achieve your health relates goals. In doing so I would like to pose a challenge for YOU to add to your resolution!

CHALLENGE: Each month, I get many compliments on the articles from: “I love the articles” to “please keep writing those articles they are so helpful.” My question to you is: can you honestly say that you are taking heed to the tips that I am providing each month? If not, as part of your New Year’s Resolution I ask that as you read the articles each month please try to take at least one thing from them and apply it to your life. Is that too much to ask?


A New Year’s resolution can be defined as a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit. It is often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as beneficial. One research showed that 52% of participants in a New Year’s Resolution study were confident that they would be successful with their goal, while only 12% of those actually achieved the goal. This just shows how we talk a good game, but often let other factors deter us from our goals.

As we will be ringing in the New Year in less than a month I ask that you take some time to really think out your resolutions and try to make them in a way that will:
1. Challenge you to achieve a goal
2. Be attainable: setting unattainable goals plays a major role in why people do not stick to their resolutions.
3. Be beneficial to your short term and long term health status.
It is important that you are clear, concise and specific when making your New Year’s Resolution. I also encourage you to put it on paper and stick it in a place that will constantly remind you of your goals (Ex. Mirror, wall in your office, etc.). This method helps you hold yourself accountable for your actions. If you are really serious about it, I suggest that you journal each day to help you see your progress and what areas you need to work harder at.

Here’s an example to help you get started. First, it is important to remind you that the “Resolution” is your goal, this is what you strive to ultimately obtain. In order to achieve your goal/resolution, you must set objectives, or steps to help you reach that goal. Look at it as if you were trying to reach the top of a ladder. There’s no way to reach the top without taking it step by step with each step being important in helping you make it to the top.

Instead of this:
Resolution: Lose 20 lbs by Jan. 1, 2011
Objectives:
Eat Better
Exercise


Try this…
Resolution: To become physically fit by Jan. 1, 2011
Objectives:
Exercise 3-5 times per week: strength training/toning as well as cardio.
Increase my daily fruit and vegetable intake.
Lose 20 pounds by April 1, 2010
Get off of blood pressure medication
Remove high calorie/sugar drinks from my diet (cokes, juice) and increase my water consumption to 64oz per day

This is a very basic example of what your resolution should look like. I hope that this serves as a template for you to start thinking about your health goals for the next year. As we know, Mississippi has been noted as the unhealthiest state with the most obese children. We can change this, but it starts with a healthy mindset. Therefore, as we quickly approach January 1, 2010, I encourage you to put some thought into where you are now, (as far as health is concerned) and where you want/NEED to be and make your resolutions accordingly!

Nakeitra Hill, B.S, M.S, CHES
Certified Personal Trainer

Babies having babies...

So I know I'm suppose to be giving healthy tips...but please bear with me as I vent a little. With my job, at times I have to travel to different schools for health fairs and to speak to students. A recent event really made me aware of the fact that our youth have no drive or ambition! I blame it on several factors such as: small town mentality, parental involvement/guidance, and environmental influences, to only name a few.

There are high schools...and junior high schools where pregnancy is the norm. This absolutely breaks my heart because they feel like having a baby is the end all be all. At this point, college is no longer an option. Maybe I care too much, but there has to be something that we can do!

I don't know what the answer to this problem is, but I realize that it is a viscous cycle that keeps going full circle. My parents were 21 and 22 when they had me...and I cannot wrap my mind around me being a parent at that age. Therefore, as I said previously, much of it has to do with the way one was raised. I commend my parents on being absolutely amazing in raising my sisters and I. With this being said, I know that if there is one thing we cannot change, that is the way people choose to raise their children. BUT... what we CAN do is have an influence on those that we come in contact with. Please know that I am in no way discounting the fact that one can be a great parent at a young age, but there are so many of our children falling by the wayside because they do not have the proper mentors and influential figures to push them to achieve at their full potential.

So I say all of this to say, please encourage our children to be the best that they can be and to pursue their dreams...without succumbing to peer pressure. I have finally come to grips with the fact that I cannot change the world, but if I can just have a positive impact on one then I have done my job! I ask that you do the same because we were once told "You are the future!" Now there is a new generation that is the future...let's encourage them!

**** Now, I will get back to giving you healthy tips! :) ******

Heart of the City: Dying to Eat in Jackson, MS

As I browsed through my News Feed on Facebook last night, I found many differing opinions on the BET Special "Heart of the City: Dying to Eat in Jackson." The comments included things such as: "this is exploitation of MS people" "Star Jones should not have been the host," "Why, MS? We're already the poorest state." My comment to all of these is simply: THE TRUTH HURTS.

I do believe that BET could have selected a host that did not have such a drama filled weight loss story. There were some major issues behind Star Jones weight loss regimen, which in some ways discounted her as a credible source to deliver the program.

Despite my issues with the host, I do believe that this show was very much needed. We give the spotlight to everything under the sun...so why not shine a light on an issue that is killing our nation.

The special gave insight to personal stories of obesity and how it has negatively affected so many lives. One of the ladies in particular had both her mother and sister succumb to health issues associated with obesity within a span of 2 years. This unfortunate turn of events prompted her to make a major lifestyle change. More of us should decide to make that change. It should not take the death of a family...or 2 for us to change our lives.

Here are just a few statistics on obesity in Mississippi. After taking a look at these startling numbers, I hope that you realize that this is a serious issue that is completely preventable.
-Mississippi is ranked as the UNHEALTHIEST state...its been that way for a couple of years now.
-32.5% of individuals in Mississippi are considered obese
-31.7% of adults in Mississippi are considered obese.
-44.4% of Mississippi children ages 10-17 are considered obese.
These numbers should show you that obesity is a problem, this is not even to mention the health issues associated with obesity (heart disease, diabetes, etc).

All in all, I firmly believe that the special was much needed. As I say to so many people "Everyone wants to change, but no one wants to put in the work." I hope that this special encouraged at least 1 person to make a change for the better!

First things First...

So, I'm really new to this whole blogging thing, but I thought it would be a great way to get more information about living healthy lifestyles. As I get more and more into this whole health and fitness thing I find it disturbing that maintaining a healthy weight/lifestyle is not a priority of sooooooo many people. As a health educator/ personal trainer, I feel that it is my duty to keep our people and communities educated in hopes of creating a healthier America.

With this all being said...I hope you enjoy, gain some valuable information, and ultimately make a dedication to a healthy lifestyle.