Howtomake changes

While public policy may chan geinthefut ure, there are steps you can take now to implement change.

Begin by taking an hon- est look and assess how you score among these five parameters. For example, you don’t smoke, you exercise regularly, but you drink more than two drinks a day, your BMI is elevated and your diet isn’t always healthy. Or you’re low-risk for every- thing, but you only exercise twodaysaweek.Bes uper specific. Note where you’re doing well and where you’re really struggling.

Once you get an idea of where you stand, choose just one area you want to focus on and one change youwanttomakeinit.It’s common for us to j ump in and try to fix everything at once, but success usually occurs through setting small, clearly defined goals and achieving them one by one. For example, if you knowyou’redrinki ng more than is recommended, but you don’t want to decrease intake right now, choose a different first step. Here are some first-step suggestions:

■ If decreasing alcohol consumption is your focus, consider cutting out drinking at home. Or if social drink- ing is your main issue, set a goal for drinks per week to keep you accountable.

■ If quitting smoking is your goal, perhaps the first step is to research smokingcessation programs.

■ If improving your diet interests you, start with adding one more vegetable and fruit to your daily diet.

■ If exercise is your priority, add one 30-minute workout to your regimen to get youtowardadailyroutine.

■ If losing weight is your focus, consider decreasing caloric intake by 250 to 500 calories per day.

Check in weekly to stay accountable. As that habit is incorporated into your regular routine, add more to your weekly agenda, so that slowly, but surely you’re incorporating the five habits.

When bumps in the road occur, remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing. You’re taking steps to create habits that could lead to a longer, healthier life. That focus is an important part of achieving the goal.