This Year, Make the Resolution for Health…
Every year, thousands and thousands of men and women alike resolve to lose weight come January 1st. The reasons for weight loss may vary: one person may have high blood pressure, another, type two diabetes. However, the end goal is almost always the same: improved health! Though many aspects of overall health are improved with weight reduction, focusing solely on one facet of the problem is not always beneficial. Crash diets and extreme exercise regimes make reaching our health goals harder, as these plans encourage deprivation and equate being healthy to being miserable. This year, try taking a 360 approach to health by giving your body just what it needs- a little TLC! TLC can stand for tender loving care or total lifestyle change, and both a required on the path to good health. It is important that you are kind to both your bodies and your minds as you embark on this journey into the New Year. Making a total lifestyle change is difficult, and may take some planning and preparation. Starting out slowly by making small changes every day or week is a more realistic approach, as it will give you time to adjust and a chance to really incorporate these new practices into your daily life. If you do not know where to start, you are not alone. Changing your outlook on health is, in my opinion, the most important first step. Ditch the diet mentality in 2015! Try thinking about the foods that you can have, and take the focus off of foods that are “bad.” A healthy lifestyle is not about deprivation, and really, every food fits in moderation. Though every food does have a place in your diet, it is still important to increase your consumption of healthier fare. Adding new foods each week, such as a serving of fruits and vegetables or whole grains will increase your food repertoire and keep being healthy fun and interesting. You might even find a new food item to enjoy! You may also find that as time goes on, your taste for unhealthier foods diminishes. One way to facilitate this process is to dine at home one or more times per week. Though going out to eat is an enjoyable experience, a lot of the food is laden with sodium and saturated fat. Eating at home allows you to control what is going into your food. If this is difficult, you may find inspiration from websites like Pinterest.com, which offers thousands of healthy recipes. Many Registered Dietitians are also on Pinterest and offer great health tips! Adding exercise is also important, not only for weight loss, but for improved outcomes in many chronic diseases such as hypertension. Exercise does not always have to take place at the gym. Find activities that are enjoyable for you, like walking or gardening. You can even try something new here too, like yoga or zumba. If you are physically inactive, don’t dive into exercise either: 20 minutes 2-3 days per week is a great place to start, and you can always add more or do less depending on your comfort level. Finally, do not forget to relax and enjoy the holidays and New Years celebrations with your families and loved ones. Happy New Year to all, and let’s make 2015 a year dedicated to healthy habits and TLC!
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It’s been almost 4 years since I retook the RD exam. As much as my story is a cautionary tale, it is also one of redemption. When I let my RD lapse more than a decade ago, I was so swamped with being a mom, I couldn’t imagine ever working as an RD again. Still in the back of my mind I always knew that I could retake the RD exam. As it turns out, for me, retaking the exam was the easiest obstacle to overcome. It never occurred to me that I wouldn’t be welcomed back into the field with open arms. Maybe my story is similar to yours. I graduated with a BS in nutrition from Cornell then I went on to the coordinated internship and masters degree program with the Bronx VA and NYU. I worked as an editorial assistant for a food magazine, as a research assistant on a breast cancer study, as a clinical dietitian in a hospital, and finally as an Assistant Director of Foodservice for Beth Israel North. My career screeched to a halt the day I gave birth to the first of my 4 sons. I cleared out my desk and left work for good. As I was shutting the door on my career, I did make one decision that proved to be hugely beneficial, I became licensed by NY state. Unlike with the RD, you can reinstate your license just by paying a fee. If you are a CDN, even if you are not an RD, you can become an insurance provider. If you find yourself like I did, with changing circumstances and the need to return to the workforce, what should you do? For starters, know that you are not alone. NETWORKING Networking is literally building relationships. There is a big difference between networking and gossiping. When I talk about my personal life, which trust me is worthy of a Lifetime special, I never advance my career. But, if I talk about my professional goals and accomplishments, I am opening the door to the possibility of a professional connection. If you find yourself in a conversation headed for soap opera city, redirect it to something more constructive and don’t be shy about self promoting. Have your elevator pitch ready. In other words, be able to sell yourself in 1 or 2 sentences. Networking is especially important when you are returning to the workforce after an extended absence. Early on I applied to many jobs online and never got a response. If felt like my resume went into a black hole. But when I had a personal connection, my resume went to the top of the pile. Your network is composed of literally everyone you have ever had some contact with. You should build your network on line with Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, and with your blog. Face to face is also important. Every time you lave your house it is a chance to make a connection. Get out of your sweatpants and present yourself to the world as a professional. Be sure to follow up on all leads. 97% of people never follow up. Distinguish yourself and notice the difference. When you have a choice between sending an email and making a phone call, pick up the phone. Make the personal connection. My favorite quote is from Seth Godin: The best time to start was a while ago. The second best time is today. The next blog post will be on how to write a winning resume. About the author:
Madeleine Berg, MS,RDN,CDN is the founder of Long Island Worksite Wellness which provides worksite wellness programs for Fortune 500 companies in the tri state area. She also has a private practice in Woodbury. Follow her on Facebook Madeleine Berg, The SuperNutritionist and on twitter @Supernutritioni |
Lisa Samuels is a Long Island native who is currently a Dietetic Intern at LIU Post. She has a B.A. in Art History from Ithaca College, a B.S. in Nutrition from LIU Post & was also a practicing baker for two years. Lisa has finally found her calling. Combining her love for food, writing, and nutrition, she strives to bring you the latest news in the field.
Check out even more posts from Lisa at her website: www.haveabitenutrition.com Archives
June 2015
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