With the arrival of a new year, many people are thinking about their annual New Year’s Resolution to get healthy. For some, the resolution will focus on exercise; for others, eating better, but the main focus is to get healthier. The reason people choose to make healthy resolutions is because we put a value on our health, and we want to feel better. We know that with better health comes a better quality of life.

One way to help to protect your health in 2010 is making sure to receive both seasonal flu and H1N1 flu vaccinations.

 Other great ways to focus on improving health in the coming year is to maintain a healthy weight, increase activity levels, eat a balanced diet, quit smoking, and manage stress more effectively. Without a strategy and plan for success, it will take about a week into 2010 for most of those well meaning people to struggle. Make and accomplish those healthy resolutions by:

• Starting small.
• Designing a plan, trusting it, and putting it on paper.
• Focusing on making healthy actions a habit.
• Surrounding yourself with goal reminders.
• Being consistent.
• Finding a positive support system.
• Allowing for setbacks and being your number one fan.

Don’t put off tomorrow what can be done today! One of the biggest obstacles is getting started. If you continue to say “I’ll start tomorrow”, then you may find that tomorrow never comes. Let 2010 be different by becoming an advocate for your own health!