Rosalee Brown

We have completed another year and we are older. Yippee!!

Many of us are still healthy and disease-free, as far as we know, and it is our ongoing quest to remain so.

We need to use our new lease on life to the benefit of ourselves and others. Examine last year and make note of the things that were negative, why you think they occurred and how you can avoid a recurrence this year.

Last year's negatives

Not enough time - To sleep, exercise, relax, spend time with loved ones, go to the market, make a proper meal or even, can you imagine, eat on time or even eat at all, for some who miss meals. We have to learn to say 'no' more often, prioritise more and manage our time more effectively. Usually, the easiest things to toss out in a crisis of limited time are our personal needs and, subsequently, our health.

Self pity - Things are not going as planned, we are victimised and hurt so we hurt ourselves more by 'pigging out', refusing to exercise, refusing to laugh and being happy for life.

Failure to plan - Planning is always important, especially for persons who work out of home with stringent schedules and responsibilities. You should work out what you will eat and where you will get this meal before you are ready for that meal, especially when you want to observe a healthy choice. Planning is just as important for your exercise and relaxation needs.

Last year's positives

Some of the negatives may have caused you to gain unwanted fat, reduce fitness levels or even caused medical problems. I am, however, convinced that we also had many positives. Let us examine them and learn from them as this could help us to change some of our negatives to positives.

Fear - Yes, fear was positive for many persons; the fear of losing the house and other investments, ensured that persons went to work in order to make money for the bills.

Purpose - This was also a driving force to provide for a family, lead a group, complete a task, meet targets and to ensure that the job was done well.

Responsibility - To families, church and other organisations. many persons remained successful in these areas.

So what are some of the character traits that assured us success last year?

Planning - Plan this year what you want to achieve in terms of your health.

Commitment - Commit to your plan.

Persistence - Do it daily.

Balance - Create a balance in your life. Eat well and healthy, exercise, relax, laugh and share.

Forgiveness - Forgive yourself when you fall off the wagon, pick yourself up and go. Also learn to be patient and forgiving to others when they seem to be struggling.

Food tips

Continue to read your labels in addition to avoiding excesses in sugars, sodium and fat. Two new items to avoid are trans fat and high-fructose corn syrup.

Continue to consume large portions of vegetables of all colours.

Have at least three servings of fruits daily.

Consume mostly whole cereals, grains and ground provisions in moderate amounts.

Consume a variety of legumes and nuts.

Consume moderate amounts of fish.

Consume small amounts of lean meats.

Consume small amounts of fats.

You need fluids to keep hydrated. In addition to fluids from your fruits vegetables and other such sources, drink water.

I wish you success in your plans for 2008.

Rosalee M. Brown is a registered dietitian/nutritionist who operates Integrated Nutrition and Health Services; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.

Continue to read your labels in 2008 and look out for two new items - trans fat and high-fructose corn syrup.- FI LE