Happy New Year, 2013!
We at Loudoun Physicians for Women wish you and yours all the best for the new year. Now that we've narrowly averted going over a fiscal cliff, what's next for the coming months? For those interested in a resolution to lose weight and get healthy, I'm a big fan of the Weight Watchers program, both online and in-person. It's been shown to help folks maintain their losses better than those other programs that provide you their food options without really teaching you better attitudes toward your food/shopping/cooking/eating out, etc. Even modest losses (10-15% of your total body weight) have measurable health benefits to your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels. Small increases in your physical activity (taking stairs instead of elevators, parking at the far end of the parking lot, stretching and doing some light weight-lifting while watching TV in the evenings, etc.) can make noticeable differences in your energy level and flexibility, as well as your ability to maintain your weight. Paying attention to your calcium and vitamin D intake can help to stave off the risk of osteoporosis and fracture as you age, especially the younger you start. Reducing stress wherever you can affects not only your mental health but your physical status as well. Making time for friendships, leisure activities, and spiritual growth are all important in keeping your "happiness quotient" up. We see many of our patients doing wonders at taking care of everyone but themselves, and we want you to remember you're no good to them if you're not in the best shape you can be. We're behind you all the way!
We at Loudoun Physicians for Women wish you and yours all the best for the new year. Now that we've narrowly averted going over a fiscal cliff, what's next for the coming months? For those interested in a resolution to lose weight and get healthy, I'm a big fan of the Weight Watchers program, both online and in-person. It's been shown to help folks maintain their losses better than those other programs that provide you their food options without really teaching you better attitudes toward your food/shopping/cooking/eating out, etc. Even modest losses (10-15% of your total body weight) have measurable health benefits to your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels. Small increases in your physical activity (taking stairs instead of elevators, parking at the far end of the parking lot, stretching and doing some light weight-lifting while watching TV in the evenings, etc.) can make noticeable differences in your energy level and flexibility, as well as your ability to maintain your weight. Paying attention to your calcium and vitamin D intake can help to stave off the risk of osteoporosis and fracture as you age, especially the younger you start. Reducing stress wherever you can affects not only your mental health but your physical status as well. Making time for friendships, leisure activities, and spiritual growth are all important in keeping your "happiness quotient" up. We see many of our patients doing wonders at taking care of everyone but themselves, and we want you to remember you're no good to them if you're not in the best shape you can be. We're behind you all the way!
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