Dr. Rabo's Blog On Improving Your Life Living with Fibromyalgia

Welcome to the New Year 2009!



This is the time of year to start anew, fresh, make some goals and new requisitions for yourself!

Does this sound a little daunting? To many yes, only to be discouraged in a few months or weeks by realizing you slowly start to fall into your old habits again and then slowly give up. Well, I'm hear to help keep us inspired! Yes, I too have set some goals to achieve for myself and I'm right in there with you when it comes to dicipline and follow through despite challenges that arise on a daily basis. So keep reading because we're in this together and if you want to feel better about yourself, your life, and make this year to truely better than 2008, I've got some free advice and tactics to stick by.



First of all make your goals realistic. Do set yourself up for success and not failure by making a goal attainable for you and your situation. For example, if you haven't been exercising than commit to starting with "I'm going to begin walking, or jogging for 10 minutes 3 days a week, and build up to 20 minutes within three weeks." Baby steps. Crawl before walking as they say.



Second, have an accountability person. Encourage a friend, loved one, perhaps your spouse to support you and even encourage them to get out and participate for their benefit as well. Having accountability encourages us to not let the other person down, you have to show up.



Third, write down what the benefits are to your new goals. If you're going to exercise or learn to cook more at home for your family versus eating out all of the time, or your going to set a budget for yourself, how is that going to benefit you or others? For instance, if you are going to begin exercising how is that going to affect how you feel? Your energy? More confidence? Less bodily aches and pains (after the initial muscle soreness subsides). See yourself experiencing the positive benefits of achieving your goals because what you visualize will come to pass.



Lastly, you should always write your goals down and laminate them on a sheet of paper (take it to Kinko's) and put it somewhere where you can read it daily. This keeps a constant presence in your mind of what you intend to follow through with, again it's accountability.



Remember, your New Year's Goals (I like to use this versus resolutions) can be anything you desire. It's about living 2009 better than the last year. It may be to take better care of your health, to spend more time with family, or be smart with your money in this economy. There is no limit to how you can make positive changes in your life beginning today. It doesn't have to be a long list, just commit to even one thing and if you can stick to it, you can add to your accomplishments later in the year.



Be bold, be brave this year, and remember each day is a gift, and if you have one bad day, the next day you get to start over. Many of us can be too hard on ourselves for our mistakes or lack of followthrough. The word I like to use is "go next," and keep on doing, the past is the past, but the present is here, so make the most of it.



Have a Happy and Healthy New Year!