5 resolutions to make for a healthier 2017

MANILA - This New Year, instead of just resolving to just lose weight, it may be better to tweak one’s lifestyle and aim for overall well-being, health experts said.

These lifestyle changes will not only help you shed off unwanted pounds; they can also promote resistance to illnesses.

According to the World Health Organization-Philippines, five things are a good starting point to get one on the path to good health:

1.    A healthy, balanced diet
2.    Going smoke-free
3.    Exercise
4.    Drinking less alcohol
5.    Getting regular health check-ups

A healthy diet with fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and nuts, and less salt, fats, and sugar can help the body balance the calories it consumes and uses, WHO said, and emphasized that a body that is powered by nutritious food and not junk is less likely to fall prey to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

Quitting smoking is also a significant step towards good health, as one year of being cigarette-free can halve the risk of heart disease in a former smoker. It can also lower the risk for cancer, and improve breathing, blood circulation, and lung function, WHO said.

This, in turn, can also help make it easier to exercise, which WHO claims can help weight control, and strengthen bones and muscles, as well as improve mood, productivity, and resistance to disease.

Lessening alcohol intake, meanwhile, can also help improve mental health. Cutting on alcoholic drinks reduces chances of depression, weight gain, and liver cancer.

To cap off healthy habits, WHO advised regular visits to the doctor, so they can find problems before they start and initiate a cure as soon as it is needed.

“By getting the right health services…you are well on your way to a longer, healthier life,” WHO said.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

10 New Year's resolutions and how to make them work

MANILA – It’s that time again when people start making resolutions for the New Year. But how many of these are maintained and fulfilled?

Here are ten of the most common New Year’s resolutions and how you can make them work.

Resolution #1: I will lose weight.

How to make it work: Be more specific. How much weight do you want to lose? What is your time frame for reaching these goals? The more specific you are, the more likely you will be able to reach them. More importantly, make sure that you have a specific diet plan to fulfill this resolution. Here’s an example: “I will only eat half a cup of rice per meal and more vegetables.” The next thing you know, you are already two sizes smaller.

Click here for some safe weight loss tips.

Resolution #2: I will go to the gym.

How to make it work: Feeling guilty during the holiday binge, some people tend to sign up for gym memberships only to end up wasting them. If you have never stepped foot in a gym for the past six months, chances are it won’t change this coming year. There are plenty of ways to exercise outside the gym, from trying a sport to following fitness videos. If you don’t have time for both, you can start with this resolution: “I will take the stairs at work or when I’m out and about.” That will definitely burn some calories.

Click here for some exercise tips to kick start your day.

Resolution #3: I will save more money.

How to make it work: It’s easy to say this at the start of the year, but not when you are faced with a beautiful pair of shoes, or while you are hanging out at your favorite coffee shop. Skip the items you don’t need and watch your savings grow. Here’s a resolution that you can make: “I will drink coffee at home instead of buying that expensive latte.”

Read finance guru Suze Orman’s take on “latte expenses” here.

Resolution #4: I will never be late again.

How to make it work: This resolution requires breaking a habit by replacing it with another one. Make concrete steps -- sync your watches and clocks to follow the Philippine standard time. Sleep early. Set your alarm an hour earlier than you intend to wake up, and make this resolution: “I will stop hitting the snooze button.”

Resolution #5: I will keep my house clean and organized.

How to make it work: If you have always been disorganized, chances are you will have a hard time fulfilling this resolution. Start small by telling yourself: “I will organize my closet this Saturday.” Continue by cleaning other parts of your room until you finish the entire house.

Resolution #6: I will stop smoking.

How to make it work: Going cold turkey is not the most effective way for most people who want to stop smoking. Take baby steps instead – if you usually smoke two packs of cigarettes a day, reduce it by half. Here’s an example: “I will only smoke one pack of cigarettes a day.” After a few weeks, take it a step further by cutting the number of cigarettes you smoke daily to half a pack. The next thing you know, you won’t even miss it.

Resolution #7: I will spend less time on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

How to make it work: This is another tricky resolution to make, especially if you already have the habit of checking your social media pages throughout the day. Try this resolution instead: “I will not check my Facebook, Twitter and other social media accounts when I’m outside the house, unless it’s really important.” If this is too much for you, start with keeping your phone during meals. Less screen time will help you cultivate and maintain relationships with the people around you.

Resolution #8: I will be more concerned about the environment.

How to make it work: You don’t have to be a vegetarian to express your concern for Mother Earth. All you need is to change a few habits, from turning off lights and appliances that are not in use to using recycled items. Here’s another example to help you get started: “I will bring my own water bottle to work or school.”

Click here for more eco-friendly tips.

Resolution #9: I will start dating other people.

How to make it work: You cannot just decide to go out and date the first person you meet. It is not only dangerous – it will also make you look desperate. Make this resolution instead: “I will go out and make an effort to meet new people.” Making yourself more “visible” will boost your chances of finding a long-term partner. If it doesn’t work out, you still end up having more friends.

Resolution #10: I will spend more time with my family.

How to make it work: This may be hard for career-oriented people to fulfill. Free up some time to spend with your family by making this concrete resolution: “I will have dinner at home with my family every Sunday.” This will lessen the chances of you working overtime or accidentally scheduling a night out with friends.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Ditch the New Year's resolutions, make a bucket list instead

As far as I can remember, I have had New Year resolutions since I was four. It was part of a series of traditions I have learned to live with until 2011. What happens after January 1 is another story altogether.

Looking back, I realized how my resolutions remained as subtle motivations or a series of must-change. Whether it was reducing my consumption of mint-flavored candies, or losing those ten pounds, it remained the same. There seems to be a viral machine that pushes me to suspend it or just let it go.

I guess this has been a problem for just about everyone, or at least mine, for the last 16 years. Not that I wasn’t sincere or determined to become a better person. It’s just that, at some point, you’d start to realize that unless it’s a matter of life and death, you’d like to keep yourself as it is, regardless of its flaws.

So this time, I made sure 2012 was going to be different. Instead of making another resolution to postpone, I decided to make my own bucket list.

It’s not just in cinemas

I remember it clearly. The first time I heard about the idea was inside a movie house four years ago while I was watching the 2007 Rob Reiner film entitled “The Bucket List” with my best friend, Chynna Cuna. It was a movie about two terminally ill individuals who in the middle of contemplating death decided to make a wish list (e.g., try sky diving, drag racing, etc.) and go on a final expedition to fulfill them.

I guess the idea pierced my heart in the sense that Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson) and Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman) in the latter part reached the pinnacle of satisfaction, before they both kicked the bucket. I mean, honestly, how many people are capable of saying they’re completely contented with their lives?

No damsel in distress

I know. Some people might say it’s another contemporary fairytale–one that suits those who find the Old Cinderella story a little overrated. But if there’s one thing I’m sure: A bucket list doesn’t turn you into a damsel in distress. For one, it taught me how to maneuver my way to happiness.

Here are some steps in making your own bucket list:

STEP 1: Know what you want.
Unlike exams, projects, or work, this is personal. In other words, there’s no specific criteria, no standard to follow, no tradition to live by: just you and your bucket list. Whether you want a trip to Europe or a trek up Mt. Pulag (Luzon’s highest peak), it’s all up to you. What would make you happy? What have you been dying to do?”

STEP 2: Write it down.
While you can always trust your memory, it always pays to just write it down. Not only are you able to monitor progress by crossing out adventures you’ve done, you’re assured your list is safe from going down the drain of oblivion. (Unless, of course, Invisible Woman tries to show up and creates a mess.)

STEP 3: Own it!
Tell it to your friends. You could even post in on Facebook, Twitter or your own blog. Not only do you increase the level of accountability on your part, you also open up the chances of doing it as a group. Won’t it be better if you do it with people close to your heart?

STEP 4: Take action!
Just as I said, this is all about you. If you don’t move then nothing really happens. Don’t worry though. We usually have a lifetime to fulfill it. Just make sure to cross out at least one every year. –KG, GMA News

source:gmanetwork.com