Goal Realization in Overall Health and Wellness

Articles on Health | Topics: health, healthy

by Skyler Blackburn

More and more people are becoming concerned about their health. Every year, tons of new diet foods and fads hit the market. The latest new workout gizmo is plastered over the TV screen. Advertisements for the latest pill guaranteed to melt the pounds away or fill you with energy scream at you from the pages of your magazine. But goal realization in overall health and wellness is not as difficult as you would think.

The first and most important thing to know about health is that you are in charge. A pill is not going to do it for you, neither is the latest diet or exercise equipment. These are merely tools to help you on your way. You have to be the one to consciously make the changes needed.

Your body is full of needs. Your physical body requires healthy food and water, daily exercise, and a good night's sleep. But it does not stop there. You have emotional needs, such as love, laughter, and good friends. You need a positive self-image and a strong mental attitude. All of these affect your overall health and wellness.

You need to be aware of all aspects of your body. Do you feel good and are full of energy or do you feel sick? Are you angry or happy? How do certain situations or people make you feel? Identifying where you are currently going wrong with your health can better help you to change it.

You have to take care of yourself. Eat food that is good for you. Overall, it is better to limit salt, sugar, and fatty foods. Choose healthy options for snacks. Speak with your doctor or your nutritionist for a diet plan that will work for you. Drink plenty of water. Find time to exercise – whether that means going to the gym, for a walk, or taking a dance class. Get your sleep – this will help you get through the next day feeling strong and refreshed instead of groggy and tired. Learn how to laugh and have fun. Invest in strong, healthy relationships with friends and family. Keep positive attitudes, and try to look on the bright side of things instead of constantly pointing out the negatives. Take time to take care of yourself. If you need it, get professional help. A doctor can make recommendations, a weight loss group can help you realize your goals, or a counselor can help overcome any mental hurdles. Use these as stepping-stones to get to where you want to go.

Historical Quote

...I am who I am because I’m a black female.... When I was health director in Arkansas ... I could talk about teen-age pregnancy, about poverty, ignorance and enslavement and how the white power structure had imposed it—only because I was a black female. I mean, black people would have eaten up a white male who said what I did.

—Joycelyn Elders (b. 1933)

It is important to realize that becoming healthy is not going to happen overnight. If you want to become a better basketball player, you have to spend hours of practice perfecting your abilities. If you want to become a better musician you will spend hours with your instrument. To become a better, healthier person requires a time commitment as well.

As with any other goal, it helps to know exactly what you want. What are your health goals? If you want to lose weight, how much do you want to lose? If you want to eat healthier, what junk foods are you going to give up? If you want to exercise more, how are you going to do it? Write down all of your goals, as well as the amount of time that you want to finish them in and any obstacles you might encounter.

Next is to plan for success. You should take these goals as seriously as you would any goal at work or school. Schedule appointment times for you to work out and keep them. Plan meals for the next week and stick to that list at the grocery store. Finding someone to hold you accountable will help as well. Join a fitness group or team up workouts with a friend. That way, you are less like to skip out on your appointments than you would if you were doing them on your own. Inform family, friends, and your doctor of your intentions so that they can support you.

Do not forget to reward yourself for your success! While a chocolate cake might not be the answer, a night at the movies or a date with friends to celebrate your success can be. Not to mention you will have the benefit of feeling better about yourself and your health.

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Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Goal Realization in Overall Health and Wellness" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by HealthExerciseSports.com.

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