Dr. Deb

It’s January 3^rd. Have you broken your New Years Resolution? Some people are just starting their resolution today while others have already given up. 80% of people that made resolutions for 2012 will break them and most don’t make it through the end of January. I often don’t make it past January 1^st and while I used to feel defeated and beat myself for yet another failure., I’ve learned that failure can be a good, even necessary, thing when it comes to making (and keeping) long term changes.

Dr. Deb’s Resolution Solutions

1. Break It Down

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This week is the beginning of the major holiday crunch time so here is the “OK it’s really getting down to the wire and there is no way that I am going to pull this off” Holiday Stress busters.

Dr. Deb’s Holiday Stress Remedies

1.Make your List and Rip off the Top.

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I am not sure how I feel about New Year Resolutions. Too many times in my life I was starting that Monday diet that I followed “perfectly”…. until I didn’t. Then it was as if the floodgates opened and I made up for all the time that I felt deprived.

Perhaps that is why 80% of people that made resolutions for 2011 will break them, and most don’t make it through the end of January.  With almost 2 out of 3 people in my city overweight and 26% smoking, people do need to make some healthy changes, especially after the holidays.  Here are my “livable” New Year’s Resolution Tips that will help you to make long lasting lifestyle change.

Dr. Deb’s “Livable” Resolution Tips

1. Break It Down

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Last week a parent told me that her son knew me as not just Dr. Deb, but the Diarrhea Doctor. No surprise to me because I taught his class how they get diarrhea and that is something they won’t soon forget.  I usually give a germ talk to first graders at the start of cold season.  We discuss germs and how to fight infection, but they always remember one point in particular. You see, I ask them, “Have you ever had diarrhea?” When most raise their hands I tell them, “Well, that means that you have probably eaten someone else’s poop!” Sure it may be a crude way to explain oral-fecal contamination, but it sure gets them washing their hands!

We are in an Indian summer now but colds and infections abound so here are:
Dr. Deb’s Tips on how NOT to get Sick!

1. Wash your Hands in Zones

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My friend, Mike, is a great guy. Knows everyone, goes out of his way to do nice things, but Mike HATES doctors. I mean he really hates doctors. He hates waiting in the office, wearing that silly gown, talking to the doctor and certainly doesn’ t want to hear any recommendations that the doctor may have.

When Mike started having balance problems while running, the last thing that he wanted to do was go see a doctor. He HATES them. I am sure that he was also afraid that it might be something serious. And it was. Mike was diagnosed with MS in his 20s. This was not supposed to happen. But because Mike saw the doctor and received the proper medication, he has had little symptoms of MS and has continued to lead a productive and healthy life for almost 15 years.

Many men feel the same way Mike does about doctors. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, 55 percent of men hadn’t had a checkup in the last year and 29 percent said they wait “as long as possible” to get help when they were sick.

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