February 2006
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Greetings Southwest Health District!
I hope that all of you enjoyed the Hooked on Health kick off celebration. What a great day- we moved our bodies; sang a few songs; and made fun of our unhealthy ways and ourselves. Now we must move beyond the promotional phase of our campaign and spring into action and get it fixed in 2006.
Fix what?
If you smoke, come on admit it’s a problem. Admit that smoking is compromising your health. It’s 2006 get it fixed! Improve your health status by quitting today- it’s never too late.
- Set your stop date and throw out your cigarettes
- Surround yourself with supporting team mates
- Establish new routines and healthier habits- join the gym, exercise more, or enroll in that class you have always wanted to take- creative writing, ballroom dancing or even rock climbing
- Remember that EAP offers tobacco cessation counseling and it’s free to all employees
- Get medication and use it correctly
- Plan for tough times- know what you are going to do in advance, whom you are going to call, and memorize the number for the state quit line 1-800 –QUITNOW
If your routine does not include adequate physical activity, come on admit that it’s a problem. Admit that it is causing you to lack energy, gain weight, and not be able to do the things that you once enjoyed. Fix it in 2006 by:
- Logging on and completing the physical activity readiness questionnaire http://www.wellsource.com/360/pdf/PAR-Q.pdf
- Starting where you are
- Gradually building up to 30 or more minutes on at least three days a week if you have been cleared by your medical provider
- Stretching to increase flexibility
- Adding strength-building exercises with your resistance bands or weights to increase muscle tone and strength
If you have poor eating habits, come on admit that it’s a problem. Admit that your poor eating habits are making you unable to achieve your ideal body weight and increasing your risk of heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Stop living to eat – fix it and eat to live!
- Eat a minimal of five fruits and /or veggies daily
- Add more color to your plate to increase and diversify the vitamin and mineral content of your food
- Increase your fiber (whole grains, fruits, and veggies) to maintain and improve colon health
- Limit your total fat intake to no more than 35 grams (saturated fat < 10 grams) daily if you are trying to lose weight
If you are not adapting well to the stress in your life, come on admit that it’s a problem. Admit that the inability to cope with stress causes you to lose sleep at night, be anxious or depressed, and eat poorly. Get Hooked on Health and fix it in 2006 by:
- Exercising and eating properly
- Meditating and/or devoting consistent time to your spiritual life
- Seeking counseling via EAP if needed
- Doing health promoting activities that causes you to relax
…And, last but not least if you have a medical condition that has not been adequately controlled, come on admit that it’s a problem. Admit that you are not doing all that you can do to improve your health and make a vow to fix it in 2006 by:
- Seeing your physician regularly and complying with recommendations
- Getting the appropriate tests to monitor your condition
- Being screened for preventable diseases
- Taking your medications as prescribed
For the past two months we have actively promoted our 2006 wellness campaign, Hooked on Health. It is truly a blessing to live through another year- let’s rejoice and pledge to be a blessing to others this year by being a positive example and supporting each other through the journey towards a healthier lifestyle. The time has come for each of us to take it from here - just do it and fix it in 2006.
Jacqueline H. Grant, MD, MPH, MPA
