Health News
by Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom
When you hear the term ?healthy habit? what do you think? Many people embrace this concept - at least the ?healthy? part. When it comes to the ?habit? that?s a lot tougher. Most people think that making the decision to be healthy is the tough decision. That?s just the beginning. The challenge is deciding what behavior to change ? and make it a habit.
But how do you create a new habit? Is it the mantra of the Nike commercials ? ?Just do it?? Change of any kind is difficult. Studies show that it takes about 3 weeks of daily repetition to form a new habit.
This means daily action, not just thinking about the behavior.
Forming a habit gets a lot easier after the first few days, the time of greatest challenge to sticking with a new behavior. Whether it?s a 30-minute walk, eating breakfast, or flossing your teeth, it?s all about individual small habits that lead to long-term success.
Think small, and success will follow. Instead of saying ?I?m cutting out soda and only drinking water,? try ?I?m cutting out soda, and will choose water and other low-calorie drinks like herbal tea, and low-calorie sweetened sodas and drinks.? Rather than aim for a one hour walk every day, try a 30-minute walk, 3-4 times a week as a minimum, and do more often when you can.
It?s all about what you are both ?willing? and ?able? to do. Set a realistic goal, and you?ll be more likely to stick with it for 3 weeks or so, and form that new healthy habit.
How have you formed some healthy habits? Please share your thoughts!
- Walking 101
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom College credit for walking? That?s what the University of Georgia offers as one of its fitness classes for students. Whether this is a good sign or bad sign for our nation?s fitness is debatable. Most of us are very familiar...
- 5 Tips When You Don't Have Time To Exercise
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom Are you among the millions of people who have no time to exercise? It?s the number one reason cited for not moving more. We all have good intentions, but when time is short, try these tips to maintain an active day ? and...
- Making (and Keeping) New Year?s Resolutions
Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom It?s almost time to welcome in the New Year. Whether you plan a quiet evening with family and friends or a night on the town ? thoughts of New Year?s resolutions for 2012 are no doubt close to mind. Whether you want to lose weight,...
- Downsize Those Sugary Drinks!
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom It?s official ? Americans are drinking way too many sugary drinks. New results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) have documented some scary findings when it comes to consumption of sugary drinks....
- Emotional Eating: Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backwards!
Emotional Eating: STRESSED is DESSERTS spelled backwards! Dr. Madelyn FernstromOne of the biggest barriers we all face is how to manage stress and emotional eating. It?s the primary cause for almost all overeating! Simply put: it?s eating for a reason...
Health News
Creating Healthy Habits
by Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom
But how do you create a new habit? Is it the mantra of the Nike commercials ? ?Just do it?? Change of any kind is difficult. Studies show that it takes about 3 weeks of daily repetition to form a new habit.
This means daily action, not just thinking about the behavior.
Forming a habit gets a lot easier after the first few days, the time of greatest challenge to sticking with a new behavior. Whether it?s a 30-minute walk, eating breakfast, or flossing your teeth, it?s all about individual small habits that lead to long-term success.
Think small, and success will follow. Instead of saying ?I?m cutting out soda and only drinking water,? try ?I?m cutting out soda, and will choose water and other low-calorie drinks like herbal tea, and low-calorie sweetened sodas and drinks.? Rather than aim for a one hour walk every day, try a 30-minute walk, 3-4 times a week as a minimum, and do more often when you can.
It?s all about what you are both ?willing? and ?able? to do. Set a realistic goal, and you?ll be more likely to stick with it for 3 weeks or so, and form that new healthy habit.
How have you formed some healthy habits? Please share your thoughts!
- Walking 101
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom College credit for walking? That?s what the University of Georgia offers as one of its fitness classes for students. Whether this is a good sign or bad sign for our nation?s fitness is debatable. Most of us are very familiar...
- 5 Tips When You Don't Have Time To Exercise
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom Are you among the millions of people who have no time to exercise? It?s the number one reason cited for not moving more. We all have good intentions, but when time is short, try these tips to maintain an active day ? and...
- Making (and Keeping) New Year?s Resolutions
Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom It?s almost time to welcome in the New Year. Whether you plan a quiet evening with family and friends or a night on the town ? thoughts of New Year?s resolutions for 2012 are no doubt close to mind. Whether you want to lose weight,...
- Downsize Those Sugary Drinks!
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom It?s official ? Americans are drinking way too many sugary drinks. New results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) have documented some scary findings when it comes to consumption of sugary drinks....
- Emotional Eating: Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backwards!
Emotional Eating: STRESSED is DESSERTS spelled backwards! Dr. Madelyn FernstromOne of the biggest barriers we all face is how to manage stress and emotional eating. It?s the primary cause for almost all overeating! Simply put: it?s eating for a reason...