Getting Ready to Make a Lifestyle Change
Getting Ready to Make a Lifestyle ChangePg 1Transcript“Alright, so that’s about a pound up from last week.”You may know you need to make a change to your lifestyle for a healthier you. Maybe you want tochange the way you eat or the amount you exercise, maybe you want to lose weight, or lower yourblood pressure or cholesterol, or maybe you want to quit smoking.It is a good first step to recognize that you need to make a change, but is equally important thatyou are ready to actually make the change. If you aren’t truly ready you won’t succeed and will justend up frustrated.To see if you are ready to make a change to your lifestyle, start by taking a look at yourexpectations.Do you expect quick results that will last? Most of us need to change our expectations and realizethat it takes time to make lifestyle changes and sometimes it takes time to see the positive resultsof those changes.And while this may be frustrating at times, the benefits are worth it. Positive lifestyle changes cangive you more energy, reduce your chances of serious disease, increase your ability to move,reduce the number of colds and flus you get, improve your memory, increase your independence,reduce your stress level, and help you look good and feel good. Healthy changes are worth thetime they take.When getting ready to make a lifestyle change, think about your reason for wanting to change.“I want to be here for a long time. I love my family. I have 2 boys, both married; twograndsons. I thoroughly enjoy being healthy with them.”“It’s kind of a combination of just getting older and feeling the weight come on a little bitmore, and I don’t want to end up having high blood pressure, or high cholesterol ordiabetes or other health issues.”“I’m planning on living to 100 at least. And I don’t want to be 100 and in a home, I want tobe 100 and die on Mt. Everest or doing something active.”The reason you want to change should be your own. If you are making the change for someoneelse, your chance of long-term success isn’t good.It is also a good idea to take some time to look at what is going on in your life now. Be honest. Ischange a good thing for you at this time? Are you ready to take it one step at a time? What are yourealistically willing to do?“I did quit once for about 3 months when I was in college. I think because of people that Iwas hanging out with were smokers and I just wasn’t ready, I guess to give it up.”If you aren’t ready to make a change now, that’s ok. Set a date in 3 months or 6 months to thinkabout making the change again. Having a plan to come back later is one step closer to making theThis program is for informational purposes only; for all health related issues please contact your healthcareprovider. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this videofor medical decision making. gn_10049_96 ©Milner-Fenwick, Inc.Getting Ready to Make a Lifestyle ChangePg 2change you want to make. It also gives you time to think about what changes you think would helpthe most.If you are ready to make a change now, good for you. Begin to make your plan to reach your goalsand get excited about the healthy change you are about to start making.This program is for informational purposes only; for all health related issues please contact your healthcareprovider. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this videofor medical decision making. gn_10049_96 ©Milner-Fenwick, Inc.
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