Exercise Fights COVID, New Study Reveals
Did you know that even small amounts of exercise can help you fight against a COVID infection? Check out The Washington Post article that outlines this amazing study:
“Men and women who worked out at least 30 minutes most days were about four times more likely to survive covid-19 than inactive people, according to an eye-opening study of exercise and coronavirus outcomes among almost 200,000 adults in Southern California.
The study found that exercise, in almost any amount, reduced people’s risks for a severe coronavirus infection. Even people who worked out for as little as 11 minutes a week — yes, a week — experienced lower risks of hospitalization or death from covid than those who moved about less.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2022/12/21/covid-exercise-hospitalization-mortality/
✓ SMART Goals- Timely & Trackable
- At January 09, 2023
- By Holly Gish
- In Uncategorized
0
New Year’s Resolutions are well and good, but if you don’t set a time period within which you’d like to accomplish them, did they even exist? Try these tips to finish what you set out to do in 2023!:
• Setting a time limit or date by when you want to achieve the goal will hold you accountable.
• By what date will you finish the goal?
• What can I today? What about next week? Next month?
Pick a time amount and a date, as well as a way to track your improvement over time. Perhaps write your efforts down in a journal or track them on an app so you can see how far you’ve come and feel proud of what you’ve accomplished. Tracking your progress means you can see it, feel it, and want to keep going to the finish!
Example: Instead of “I want to run more”, break it down into specific, measurable, achievable time periods.
Try: I will run three days a week (specific), for 30 minutes (measurable & attainable) so that I am able to run the St. Pat’s 5k (relevant) on March 18th, 2023 (timely). All that’s left is to log the days and bask in your running achievement glory!
✅ SMART Goals- Relevant & Realistic
Why do you want to accomplish this goal?
Does it fit in with your long-term plan?
“Losing 10 pounds a week” sounds great, but an impossible goal will leave you discouraged and set you up for failure. Instead, think about why you’d like to lose weight:
Fit into those skinny jeans and feel great
Move better and have more energy during the day
Keep up with the kids/grandkids
Run a faster 5k
Whatever the reason, find the why, foster your motivation, and then focus on how to get there:
Cook 5 meals a week (specific) with at least 3 vegetables (measurable & achievable) that are delicious and still nutritious and that I’ll enjoy making ad eating(relevant).
☑️ SMART Goals- Achievable
As you hone your New Year’s Resolutions, ask yourself if they are a good fit for you:
• Do your goals bolster your health and wellbeing?
• Avoid aiming too high or too low. Find your Goldilocks goals that feel just right for you.
• Start with a small goal and build from it. Each achievement will give you the confidence to challenge yourself further.
Example: Instead of “Run a marathon”, start with going for a walk each day. After a few weeks, try out a run/walk program, then build from a 5k race, to a 10k, and soon you’ll be confident and ready to shoot for that marathon. Small steps for big achievements!
☑ SMART Goals – Measurable!
Have you made your new year’s goals yet?
MEASURABLE:
Make the goal one you can measure.
• How will you track your progress?
• When will you know the goal is accomplished?
Example: “Walking more” is too vague. How will you really know if you have?
Try: I will walk Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (specific) for 30 minutes (measurable). Then create an exercise tracker so you can monitor your progress and feel good each week you’ve done it!
✅ SMART Goals- Specific!
Welcome in 2023 with strong wellness goals!
SPECIFIC:
Define the goal as much as possible
• What do you want to accomplish?
• When will you work on it and how often?
• Where will it take place?
If a better diet is on your list, be specific- what does it really mean? Instead of “eat better”, try specifics such as as eliminating all soda, eating five servings of vegetables a day, or limiting your daily sugar intake to 30 grams.
