Small Changes Stack Up
By Bethany Garrity

Raise your hand if you’ve made a health-related resolution in the last two years. You’re not alone - health-related resolutions are among the most common made by Americans each year. Lose weight, walk more, eat more fruits and vegetables, drink more water, cut out pop/soda, stop smoking, sleep more...the list goes on. One year, I committed to flossing my teeth daily. It worked, for a while. It’s hard to stick to those resolutions – they require behavior change which is complex and more interrelated with all facets of your life than is imaginable.
The American public has been preyed upon by many a weight loss and/or get-fit-quick scheme over the years. Who wouldn’t want a fast solution to a lifelong health issue?! If it was that easy, we’d all be on board. Don’t get me wrong, some of the solutions on the market really are fantastic. The problem is that many of them are only fantastic if you have a lot of money and time to waste.

Consider making small behavioral changes in your life that are focused on improved health. If you buy into some of the ideas below, you may just meet with success!
· Start small – you make health-related decisions throughout the day. Pick one decision and focus on it. Commit to wearing your seatbelt, or to eating one piece of fruit per day. How about committing to taking the stairs up to the next floor at least once each work day.
· Move ahead with caution – once you’ve mastered that one small behavioral change, consider the next hill (not mountain!) you want to conquer.
· Practice forgiveness – recognize that you’re human and acknowledge that each day offers a NEW opportunity to try again to master your new healthy behavior.
· Partner up – increase your chances of success either by working with a friend/partner on your behavior or by confessing your goal to a loved one. Either way, the accountability may help pull you through the inevitable tough spots.
· Write it down – taking a moment to articulate your commitment in writing may reinforce your desire to follow through. Use sticky-notes to post abbreviated versions of your choice in your high traffic areas (your car, vanity, computer, and refrigerator). Consider pausing to write down progress too.