Healthy Villages

Healthy Villages is a two year program designed to change the lifestyles of Van Buren County residents.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

10 Tips for Starting a Wellness Program Today!

It is never too late to begin your journey in wellness! Here are 10 steps you can take today to get started.
  1. Write out your goals and desires. What is your overall goal for 3 to 5 year? Set 3 month and weekly goals based on your wellness vision. Goals should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Action-based, Realistic and Time-oriented.
  2. Ask What, When and How. Make a list of the hurdles that keep getting in your way. Then determine which ones are true obstacles, things that you will have to work around or find solutions to.
  3. Have a plan. Most tasks do not work with out a plan in place. Lay out a plan for accomplishing your goals, as well as solutions for overcoming the hurdles.
  4. Start a Journal. Write down your goals, desires, barriers, obstacles, excuses, solution and plan. Then you can track your progress, write down your thoughts and stick to your plan.
  5. Begin your journey where you're standing now. Accept where you are and where you need to be and begin the stops necessary to bridge that gap.
  6. Take one step at a time. What happens when you leave out an important ingredient in a recipe? Doesn't work so well, does it? You must take certain steps in order to reach a place of well being and make it fit your lifestyle.
  7. Learn from your setbacks. Making mistakes and experiencing failure is all a part of being human and living. Rather then getting down on yourself, take that setback and turn it into something positive.
  8. Spend some time "cleaning house". Create a list of your activities and decide which ones aren't contributing to your overall purpose in life. Get rid of those items that are not meaningful to your life and concentrate on those that will help you get to your overall goal.
  9. Stop comparing yourself to others. We're bombarded by images of "perfect" bodies every day. Stop comparing yourself to a fantasy and just be the best YOU that you can be.
  10. Reward yourself. It's OK to feel good about yourself. And it's OK and beneficial to reward yourself for your accomplishments not matter how small they may seem.

Take these steps and get started on your Wellness Program Today!

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