How to get your life together in 1994

Ebony, Feb, 1994 by Karima A. Haynes

As we begin to eat better, we will begin to lose the weight that comes with high-calorie, fatty foods. Shedding unwanted pounds should not be done too quickly, but over a realistic time period. A goal of losing 20 pounds in a year is reasonable because it works out to be less than two pounds a month.

"You really have to take the time to set goals, decide on tactics and a set time period for losing weight or it will never get done," Dr. Bernal advises

Starting an exercise regimen is another New Year's resolution that usually fades before the spring thaw. The problem is that we often pick activities that we don't really like. Consequently, exercising feels more like work than fun.

Maybe you like to workout at home alone or you prefer to go to a program with group interaction," Dr. Bernal says. "You have to pick a program that is appropriate to your lifestyle."

The bottom line, however, is that we have to make time for exercise. We have to put it on our schedules just like any other appointment. "We all have the same 24 hours," Dr. Bernal observes. "We just have to decide that exercise is a priority for us."

Resolving to take responsibility for our health, relationships, finances and career should be among our to priorities in the new year. But we have to remember that better living involves planning, sacrifice and a commitment to making those changes a permanent way of life.