Following Doctor’s Orders?

So your doctor has told you to do certain things for “your” health.  She has told you that for you to maintain or regain a good quality of life that you must make some changes.  Of course you have agreed while sitting in her office, and you have the very best intentions as we all do. Let’s go over a few of her instructions and see if there are some simple solutions.

1.  Stop smoking.  This is one of the hardest habits to stop.  I have never had this one, but my best friend, my parents and others have. My father was able to stop cold turkey–no weight gain or anything, but then again he was my dad.  My mother never attempted to stop.  After two heart attacks, my best friend did stop, but her husband still smokes.  There are many products out there that will assist you in not smoking.

2.  Exercise more.  Well the gym cost money, and we all know that money is tight. There are not enough hours in the day for us to exercise.  My favorite excuse is “I don’t like to exercise”.  Why not take the stairs at work–no stairs just walk around the office a couple of times. If the weather is nice go outside and walk.  No one said we had to do cross training.  Why not take a dance class?  Just get to moving.

3.  Eat better.  Stop eating in the car.  We don’t know what we eat when we are in the car; it can’t be healthy because we can hold it in one hand and it is not a piece of fruit.  Why don’t we eat better?  Convenience is part of the problem, and I am guilty of this sin.  Remember when we were children, and we got a hamburger, it was about half the size of the ones they give us today, and we still eat the entire thing plus fries and a soda.  Get the kids’ portion at the fast food place, they don’t know it’s for you.  Not a cook, keep fruits and veggies on hand.  There ought to be some fruit or veggie that you like.  Don’t buy soda.  Remember when a can of soda was considered two servings, now it’s one.  Simple steps.  Have some cake, just not every day.

4.  Cut back on caffeine. You don’t drink coffee, but you drink soda, energy drinks and eat chocolate.  I love coffee–absolutely love it, but I have cut back to  just about a cup and a half a day if that.  I drink it in 1/4 cup increments, because I don’t like cold coffee. I detest decaffeinated, but I will do half and half.

**Speaking of coffee when my girlfriends and I meet at the local Starbucks, we typically just have coffee and/or tea.  We are there mostly for the conversation so most of the time the higher calorie drinks are not ordered.

5. Follow your doctor’s advice, it does help.  Way back when, my then doctor, Dr. Perkins, instructed me to have a glass of wine each night, and so many years later I am still following his instructions. I can follow the doctor’s orders.

Will these suggestions guarantee you perfect health–probably not, but they won’t hurt either.  Remember “thisisyourbestyear”.  Let’s take care of ourselves so that we can continue to help others take care of themselves.