It’s the start of a new year, and you’re eager to hit your resolutions for 2023. While this is a great time to take stock of your current situation, set some goals, and make improvements, it can also be tricky. There are many distractions and excitements to derail even the best intentions. That is why we’ve put together a few suggestions to help you maintain your resolutions and make 2023 the best year ever!!
Be realistic & patient
While it may be tempting to aim for an ambitious target like losing 50 pounds in two months, this may not be realistic or sustainable. Instead, consider setting a more achievable long-term goal, such as adopting a healthy diet and exercise plan over the course of six months. This approach will not only help you reach your weight loss goals, but it will also improve your overall health and well-being. Remember, it's essential to be patient and consistent, as lasting change takes time.
Make a plan
Goals can be a powerful source of motivation, but they are only effective if you have a clear plan for achieving them. As you think about your goals and how to achieve them, it's important to consider the potential challenges and setbacks you may encounter along the way. This will help you stay motivated and focused even when things get tough.
Prioritize your health
Making positive changes in your health is important, but taking on too many at once can lead to adverse reactions and stress. Before making a significant lifestyle change, seek out the help of a health professional. They can provide guidance and support to help you achieve your goals.
Consider chiropractic care
Your muscles, joints, and everything in between will function better with a healthy spine. Chiropractic care helps minimize injuries, muscle aches, headaches, and so much more. Don’t let a poorly performing body keep you from achieving your goals this year. Give our office a call today to see how we can help!
Exercise Can Reduce Episodes of Back Pain
Most people develop New Year’s resolutions around weight loss and exercise goals to improve how they look. There’s a significant benefit to those goals that most don’t realize in how it relates to low back injuries. Low back injuries are so common in our world today with frequent episodes for some people ever year. Up to two-third of people report persistent pain at TWELVE MONTHS following a low back injury. Out of the people that do recover from an initial injury, one-third of them will report a second injury within twelve months. These are alarming statistics when looking at the amount of time someone spends in pain due to back pain!
The good news is that a recent study shows there is greater sustainability of low back pain improvement (i.e. maintenance of high levels of function) that are associated with an increased number of healthy lifestyle behaviors (adequate sleep and physical activity, optimal BMI, non-smoking, and minimal alcohol consumption) as well as with healthy emotional factors (lack of depressive thoughts, low perceived stress, and resilient coping). So if you exercise, eat well, and get enough sleep; you are less likely to be re-injured and tend to be in a much better mood!
Roberts, K.E., Beckenkamp, P.R., Ferreira, M.L. et al. Positive lifestyle behaviours and emotional health factors are associated with low back pain resilience. Eur Spine J 31, 3616–3626 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-022-07404-7
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