Resolving to have the right attitude

To the editor:
    I love the New Year! The New Year always seems to peak interest for us to become healthier and happier. Plenty of us attempt to do this by practicing a healthier diet and fitting routine exercise into our busy schedules. The problem is, our drive tends to fade once we realize change does not happen overnight!
    Three strategies for exercising success include: adjusting your attitude, changing your lifestyle, and creating your own personal plan and sticking to it!
    If you have the wrong attitude about exercising you’re already setting yourself up for failure. Try viewing exercise as:
• A way to boost energy,
• A break from a stressful day,
• A way to reward yourself for working so hard, and
• The only time all day that you’ll have to yourself.
    Stay away from viewing exercise as a boring obligation, or punishment for poor eating habits. Having the right attitude about exercising is the key to great success in physical fitness!
    Remember, every person is different. Set goals that are realistic for you and create your own plan based on those goals. What motivates you may change from day to day. You may have to recommit to your goals each day, tweak them to fit changes in your lifestyle and attitude and find new ways to motivate yourself over the course of your life.
    Even the most successful exercisers don’t always want to do it. Know that committing to a healthier lifestyle this year will require work and dedication but the results, I can assure you, will make your decision one of the best!
    You can call me at 768-3030 Ext. 633 or e-mail me at rbrown@acap-me.org for your own copy of our “Physical Activity Resource Guide.” Happy Exercising!
Reegan Brown
Community Education Specialist
Healthy Aroostook
Aroostook County Action Program