It is that time of the year again; time to make New Year’s resolutions. I, like so many, make resolutions every year; they range from simple things like waking up with a smile to more complex resolutions of being healthy in the New Year. I make a resolution to be healthy every year; healthy physically, healthy emotionally, healthy mentally and healthy spiritually. Getting healthy takes work, it takes commitment and for many of us it also requires help. Health is a lifestyle; it is about learning to put yourself first, so you can then be there for everyone else.

As the months go on our New Year’s resolutions seem to fall to the side. Our most common excuses as to why we cannot accomplish them are: I do not have time, I do not have the energy, or I have tried but I am not seeing the results. No one said resolutions would be easy, if they were then we would not have to make them for we would already be doing these things. As you make your list of resolutions for the year, I advise you to also consider what support you need to accomplish your resolution.

If your goal is to get fit, how are you going to accomplish it? It is more than just joining the gym, it is thinking about the support you need. Maybe it is finding someone to go to the gym with so when you feel as though you cannot go you have that person who is expecting you to be there to motivate you to go. Maybe you need to ask your spouse to help pack the kids lunches so that you can have an extra 30minutes in the morning to do your exercise DVD.

I find that when I ask for help with my resolutions that I am more likely to stick with them. Not only because some else knows what my goals are, but because I have support and affirmation. Take time this year to put yourself first, to help yourself. May you all have a healthy, happy and joyous 2010!

Anita M. Larrow, ND