22nd March, 2012

Dr NICK HODGSON

Another year ended recently and very few of us finished the “to do list” that we had with a “finish this before Christmas” deadline. And now another year has started and your only New Year’s Resolution was that you don’t make New Year’s Resolutions! It has become taboo to make a commitment to eat better, exercise more, get a health problem checked and fixed, or to take some action steps toward a life goal: Why? Because we don’t end up doing it...

EXERCISING YOUR WAY TO A HEALTHY FUTURE: Just 20 minutes a day can help get your heart rate pounding. PICTURE: Gary Scott (www.sxc.hu).

The actual problem is the size of the resolutions: “I’m going to lose 10kgs”, “I’m going to stop smoking”, “I’m going to run a half marathon”, “I’m going to pay off all my debts” and so on. One of my favourite sayings/clichés is; “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!” What this means is that the only way to reach big goals is to take small steps. And the only way to achieve big resolutions is to make small choices.

Do you realise that at numerous moments in the day you are making choices: When your alarm goes off in the morning, you could get straight out of bed and do some stretches or go for a walk; or you could press the snooze button and stay in bed till the last possible minute. You could prepare and pack a healthy lunch; or you could watch a bit of the morning show and get greasy takeaway lunch.

When looking at a menu you could think about what is going to taste the yummiest and fill you up; or you could consider the freshest and healthiest option to re-energise you. You could get outside in the fresh air for twenty minutes at lunch time; or you could stay at the computer and eat your lunch while working. You could get a coffee with two sugars; or drink a bottle of water. You could take the stairs; or jump in the lift. You could do some yoga in the evening; or collapse in front of the TV. Each one of those small choices determines if we get closer to a big resolution - or further away...

The problem is that the resolution doesn’t help us to make those choices: Those choices help us to make that resolution.

What is the solution? Awareness! Awareness throughout the day that we’re continuously faced with choices: Discernment of what two choices we have at any given moment: Consciousness to make a choice that is constructive not destructive.

None of us want to have illness – Wellness is the antonym of illness: Wellness is defined as "The quality or state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal." (Merriam-Webster online dictionary) In other words, "Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a more successful existence.” (National Wellness Institute)

If you don’t want to be ill – you need to be well: And that is going to mean making better choices. Sound tough? It isn’t – It just takes one little healthy bite at a time.

Make a healthy choice

Here are some suggestions for healthy choices you might make during the day in 2012:

1) Set your alarm 10 minutes early, get straight up and do some stretching in bed, on the bed, on the floor next to the bed, and/or in the shower.

2) Eat a low sugar, complex carbohydrate breakfast, along with your vitamin and fish oil supplement.

3) Make your own healthy lunch before going to work so you don’t have to grab something quick (and unhealthy) in your break.

4) Get out of your chair at least every 50 minutes and either stretch, climb some stairs, or walk to another part of the property.

5) Either before work, in your lunch break or straight after work – do minimum 20 minutes of exercise that you will enjoy and will get your heart rate pounding.

6) When looking at a menu ask yourself which choice is the freshest, lightest, healthiest and most natural. And order it!

7) Turn the TV off for30 minutes, sit together with your family or friends, and talk. It will get easier with practice...

8) An hour after dinner either lie flat on the floor and listen to some really uplifting or relaxing music, do some yoga, try to meditate or pray, or read.

9) Visit your chiropractor for a regular tune up – even if you don’t have any pain.

10) Drink herbal tea and water instead of coffee and soft drinks – they are just as tasty, and much more invigorating.

The information contained in this article is of a general nature only. For advice on your specific situation, please consult your medical professional.

Dr Nick Hodgson is a chiropractor working in Victoria. Recognised by both the Chiropractors Association of Australia (Vic) for his service to the chiropractic profession, Dr Hodgson has been responsible for introducing the torque release technique (www.torquerelease.com.au), auriculotherapy and addictionology training to the Australian chiropractic profession. Nick is a Fellow of the Holder Research Institute (F.H.R.I.), has completed five of the ten modules of the Certified Addictionologist (CAd) program, and is the Australasian provider of Torque Release training. He is a member of the Chiropractors’ Association of Australia (CAA) and the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA), and sits on the WCA’s International Board of Governors. Visit Nick, chiropractor and health and wellness coach at www.superhealthy.com.au.

© Dr Nick Hodgson 2012.

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