20 The Courier sun • health • MARCH 7, 2013 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com health s Winning weight loss tips Winter can stretch for a very long time in many areas of the country, and with the extensive cold often comes the temptation to let weight loss goals fall by the wayside. If you’ve set out to lose weight and get healthy in 2013, but are not sure how to keep going another month, much less the rest of the year, take advice from Registered Dietitian Anika DeCoster. “A great weight loss program provides a combination of the right exercise, nutrition and lifestyle factors, including stress management and good sleep,” DeCoster says. “In addition, I’ve noticed that those who succeed in losing the most weight take their efforts further in order to win the competition.” She says adopting these five strategies can improve your chances of winning at weight loss. 1. Find your motivation You can’t lose weight because your doctor said to, or your spouse hinted you should, or a close friend passive-aggressively suggested it. “Real winners spend time thinking about and identifying their own motive for losing weight,” DeCoster says. “The more emotion you put into something, the more likely you’ll commit for the long term. Spend time reflecting and understanding why you’ll stop at nothing to achieve your overall goal.” This doesn’t mean you have to face your weight loss challenge alone, DeCoster adds. “But acknowledge that you are the only one to actively change your behavior.” 2. Learn how and make it a habit “As the saying goes, ‘motivation is what gets you started, but habits are what keep you going,’” DeCoster says. Forming healthy lifestyle habits will lead to longterm weight loss success. But making changes takes work and time.”Most people know what they need to do but often prevent their own success because they never take the time to learn how,” DeCoster says. “For example, you might want to eat healthier and know that you should eat more vegetables, but if you don’t know strategies to add more vegetables to your diet, your success will be limited.” Do your research or hire a coach to help you learn about sound nutrition and exercise. 3. Write your goal down, and publicize it A 2007 study from Dominican University in California reported that people who put their goals in writing are more successful than those who think about them. Success rate increases further by making those goals public. Participants in the study who merely considered their goals succeeded 43 percent of the time, whereas those who wrote goals down increased their success rate to 64 percent. Those who wrote down their goals and reported their progress weekly to a friend succeeded an average of 76 percent. Thanks to the Internet, you can share your progress via social media. In fact, a study published this month in Translational Behavioral Medicine revealed that participants in a weight loss program who also used Twitter as a support tool lost more weight. 4. Take a “before photo” You might want to skip this step, but don’t; real winners take before photos seriously. A before photo is the starting line, the benchmark to stay motivated and be reminded of how far you’ve come. DeCoster says photos should show as much skin as you would in a swimsuit and should capture front, back and side views. “When you are the one losing weight, it can be hard to see the daily metabolic change that is going inside of your body,” DeCoster says, adding that along with the photo make sure you jot down starting weight and measurements. 5. Focus on good behaviors to master, not bad behaviors to stop Make your weight loss journey a positive one. “Instead of telling yourself you really need to stop eating fast food for lunch, focus more on planning and packing lunches instead. Instead of telling yourself you can’t have any sweets, remind yourself you’re choosing healthier rewards,” DeCoster explains. The shift may seem subtle, but the payoff to the approach results in long-term lifestyle changes. Courtesy BPT REGAL HEIGHTS Rehabilitation and Health Care Center Where your loved ones are cared for like family. Our residents are surrounded by the perfect healing and social environment. They can make new friends in our cozy lobby, several meeting areas, well-stocked libraries with free internet access, and full-service beauty salon. From our landscaped outdoor terrace and gardens, residents and visitors can enjoy the change of seasons or marvel at the stunning views of the New York City skyline and bridges. Our 280-bed, state-of-the-art facility has 24-hour skilled nursing care, using the latest rehabilitation and medical equipment, provided by our highly trained and specialized staff. Services Include: • 7 days a week of Rehabilitation Therapies (Physical, Occupational, Speech,) • Perfect Joint Program (Joint Replacement Rehabilitation/ Specialized Orthopedic Services) • Cardiac and Stroke rehabilitation therapy • Pulmonary Rehabilitation (Breath For Life) • Post-surgical care • Dialysis Care • IV Infusion Therapy • Pain Management and Alternative Medicine • Wound Care (Wound Vac, Hyperbaric, Surgical Services) • Hospice Care • Respite Care • Bariatric Care • Tracheostomy Care • Specialized Dementia Programs (learn about the Snoezelen Room) • Discharge Planning and Homecare • Assistance with Medicaid Applications • Therapeutic Recreation • Long-Term Placements Available ADULT DAY HEALTH CARE PROGRAM Our Goal: Our Queens Adult Day Health Care Program is designed to enable those in our community, with physical or cognitive impairment, to remain at home for as long as possible. The goal at Regal Heights ADHCP is to improve the quality of life for those in need of specialized care and to provide support for their families. We aim to provide a compassionate and accommodating environment with a professional staff to handle our client’s needs. Offering a variety of medical, nursing, rehabilitative, social and recreational programs is at the heart of our philosophy. Personalized Meals • Specialized Services Upon evaluation, our expert interdisciplinary team will develop an individualized plan of care to meet the special needs of each client. Multiple languages are spoken by our staff members. Our warm and diverse staff includes: • Physicians • Nurses • Social Worker • Registered Dietitian • Recreation Therapists • Certifi ed Nursing Assistants • Physical Therapists • Podiatrist • Optometrist • Psychologist We Offer: Massage Therapy, Tai Chi, Computer Classes and English as a second language Affi liated Organization of North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System 70-05 35 35th Ave, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 • 718-662-5100 • www.regalheightsrehab.com What top quality care is all about! 5-Stars in Overall Quality and Quality Measures, according to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 5-Star Ratings of Nursing Homes
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