HEALTHY CHANGES:
4 Steps Towards Overall Health
Step 1:
Understanding Your "Total Health"
Importance
of Commitment
How
to Stay Committed
Incentives
for Clergy
Step 3:
Assessment & Goals
Step 4:
ACTION TOOL RESOURCE CENTER
Step 2: MAKE THE COMMITMENT
The Importance of Commitment | How to Stay Committed | Incentives for Clergy
How to Stay Committed, Every Day
Right now, wherever we are today, let's give ourselves a break. Make it a day to start with a clean slate. Our past choices are just that - past. Recognize that by taking small steps to eat better and be more physically active, even if we are starting from scratch, we can improve our health. And it doesn't take a lot to begin to have an impact.
We want to recapture that feeling, "me at my best." It's hard to describe, but you definitely know it when you feel it. People say, "When I'm eating healthy and being more active, it's like I'm energized" or "on top of my game!"
Sometimes, don't you just dread the idea of taking time out for physical activity? Especially if it means getting out of bed a half hour earlier or squeezing it into a packed day. But afterwards, do you ever regret it? In fact, doesn't it change your mood for the rest of the day? Not only does your body respond positively to the physical activity, but it's also empowering when you know you are taking control and making healthy changes that will make a difference for the rest of the day - the rest of your life. Wouldn't it be great to feel a renewed confidence in yourself or to simply take small steps to be your very best every day?
Create support groups in your congregation or with family and friends. It's more fun when you participate with others.
Small Steps Activities
Staying
committed to any lifestyle change most often fails because we get overwhelmed
or discouraged. Starting with small steps can quickly and easily produce
results, though, and assist you in the commitment process. "Small Steps"
provides a list of activities that you can add into your daily routine to
get more active, and stay that way! Small
Steps List (PDF)
Take Small Steps
SmallStep.gov,
provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services, helps you learn
how to make physical activity a part of your day, eat healthy, protect yourself
and your family from illness, and avoid risks to your health and the health
of your loved ones. An excellent resource with tons of links, ideas, recipes
and more! Visit the website: www.smallstep.com
INSPIRATION CORNER