Even though most Americans will be out there "partying like it's 1999" on New Year's Eve, we will wake up on Jan. 1 and practice the time honored tradition of making New Year's Resolutions.  Will yours end up unheeded like most?  Here are some tips to make your resolutions healthy and long lasting impact.  For starters, focus on the "Thou shalt" resolutions rather than the "Thou shalt nots". 

Think of your resolutions as gifts to yourself, rather than as punishments.  Resolve to give yourself--and your family--the gift of a healthier lifestyle this year. 

1. Resolve to give yourself the gift of a healthy breakfast each day.
2. Resolve to give yourself the gift of stopping my unhealthy behaviors such as smoking or drinking too much.
3. Resolve to wear your seat belt religiously.
4. Resolve to drink more water.
5. Resolve to take your necessary vitamins and supplements. . .and cut out the ones that may be unnecessary.
6. Resolve to practice proper dental hygiene.
7. Resolve to get your annual physical exam plus my pelvic, Pap smear, rectal exam, and mammogram.
8. Resolve to practice monthly breast self exam.
9. Resolve to increase your daily exercise--and enjoy it!

The final resolution is a true gift:  resolve to get a good night's sleep on a regular basis.

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Created: 1/1/2001  -  Donnica Moore, M.D.