By: Christine Crosby
“Yesterday, everybody smoked his last cigar, took his last drink and swore his last oath. Today, we are a pious and exemplary community. Thirty days from now, we shall have cast our reformation to the winds and gone to cutting our ancient shortcomings considerably shorter than ever.” Mark Twain
Not a great deal has changed since Twain’s time, at least regarding New Year’s resolutions. Would there even be a home fitness equipment industry without them? But even if the resolution is a cliché, there is something in this tradition that plucks strings deep in the heart. It’s a chance for do-overs. There is an element of redemption, even forgiveness of ourselves and others. “I don’t like how ______ has been going but it will all be different in the New Year.” And actually, I feel younger, too!
So I do resolve this New Year… to maximize my health. It is my connection to everything I love and whatever good things I may be able to do, so it ranks supreme. I’ve recently discovered ‘probiotics’. We need these and I’m very happy with the results. Also taking some great herbs and finding certain protein shakes to be the key to my weight management.
Being overweight in America is the new normal. This will have dramatic social and financial consequences for the next couple of generations. I fear we are becoming more stratified in health as we have in education and wealth: some will take control of their health, will use minimal health care services and will enjoy a good quality of life until a pretty advanced age. Others will…well they’ll do the opposite. Let’s all agree in 2011 to be in that first category.