Healthy Questions to Help Make you Healthy
by: Janet L. Hall
Many people make New Year's resolutions, only to break
them within a week or a month afterwards.
Many people either do or do not set goals for themselves.
Some people have no idea how to set goals.
So, let's look at the difference between resolutions and goals.
"Webster's New World Compact School and
Office Dictionary" copyright 1994, offers these definitions:
~~ Resolution-1) the act or result of resolving something
2) a thing determined upon; decision as to future action
3) a resolute quality of mind
4) a formal statement of opinion or determination by an
assembly, etc.
~~ Goal-1) the place at which a race, trip, etc. is ended
2) an end that one strives to attain
3) in some games, a) the line or net over or into which
the ball or puck must go to score b) the score made.
Notice # 2 in each definition and let's use 'losing weight' as
our example. (I use this as an example because it is the
number one New Years resolution).
The statement. "I'm going to lose weight this year" doesn't
really have any meaning, focus, or structure.
The statement "I have determined that I need to lose weight
and will walk one mile three times a week so that I can wear
the new dress/suit that is too tight."
See the difference? See how the second statement has more
clarity and structure?
We have determined the problem, decided on the action
we want or need to take, and what end we are striving to attain.
This is the way to focus on a problem, make a resolution,
and set a goal.
Now I'd like you to get a notebook or make one that has enough
sections for each of the areas Dr. Wetmore has identified. In each
section write your statement of "goal-resolve".
"Goal-Resolve! What is this woman talking about?"
Goal-Resolve: a statement that determines a problem, what action
you need to take, and to what end you want to attain.
In this article I will be focusing
on your Health Area.
Below is a list of the recommended traditional health tests
and exams you should have, listed with age and frequency
of exams. The frequency suggested is for those of you
that have no symptoms or any history of risk. Please
consult with your doctor to find out if you need to be tested
more frequently.
Print out the list and place an X next to the tests or
exams that you NEED to GET PERFORMED.
By the way, when was the last time you had a physical?
___Physical
21-39: every 3 years
40-49: every 2 years
50-74: Yearly
___Blood Pressure
21-74: every 2 years, more often if high or low
___Blood Cholesterol
21-74: every 5 years, more often if high
___Bone-density scan (DEXA or pDEXA)
40-59: Postmenopausal women with one or more
osteoporosis risk factors or who have had a bone
fracture and men should consult with doctor.
After 65: every 2 years
___Breast self-exam
15 + : Monthly
___Cancer checkup and health counseling
21-39: every 3 years
40-74: Yearly
___Chest X-ray and lung function test
Yearly for smokers; baseline check at 40 for
nonsmokers
___Clinical Breast Examination
21-39: every 3 years
40-74: Yearly
___Dental Checkup
21 + : every 6 months
___Digital Rectal Exam
21-49: not necessary if no symptoms
50-74: every 5-10 years
___Electrocardiogram
40-74: Baseline at 40 and as recommended by
your doctor thereafter
___Fecal Occult Blood Test
21-50: not necessary if no symptoms and no
family history of colon cancer
50-74: Yearly
___Hearing
21-39: not necessary if no symptoms
40-74: as necessary, every 5-10 years
___Influenza Vaccine
21-49: optional
50-74: Yearly
___Mammogram
21-39: Baseline at 35, then every 1-2 years
40-74: Yearly
___Pelvic Exam/Pap Smear
21 + : yearly
___Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)
50 + : Yearly
___Sigmoidoscopy (colon examination)
21-49: not necessary if no symptoms and no
family history of colon cancer
50-74: every 5 years
___Skin Exam (for signs of cancer)
21-39: self-exam every month
40-74: yearly by dermatologist
___Testicular Self-Exam
21 + : monthly
___Tetanus-diphtheria (Td) Booster
21 + : every 10 years
___Thyroid-stimulating Hormone Test
65 + : every 3-5 years
___Triglycerides
21-59: every 5 years
60-74: at doctors recommendation
___Urinalysis
50-59: every 10 years
60-74: every 5 years
___Vision
21-39: yearly if you wear glasses; once before age 40
40-59: every 2-4 years
60-74: Yearly
(The above list was compiled from *Family Circle*-
Your Personal Planner, Wellness Guide, Vol. 25, No. 15)
If you are 74 +, please check with your doctor for their
recommendations of frequency.
Some other vaccinations that you might need to add to your
list are:
~~Pneumonia shot at age 60 and again at 67
~~Hepatitis B for those of you that are health workers
or living with a carrier
~~Hepatitis A if you plan to visit Third World countries
~~Cholera, Typhoid Fever, Yellow Fever, and other
diseases endemic to areas where you plan to travel
~~Lyme Disease if you live, work or vacation in high-risk
areas or are exposed to ticks for any length of time.
(The highest-risk states in the US are those in the
northeast, plus Minnesota and Wisconsin)
If you have children or grandchildren, please make sure
that they are getting their necessary and required shots.
Call your doctor, dentist, vision and hearing doctors today
and set up your appointments for yourself (and any loved
ones) for the year.
Schedule a date with a nutritionist and make sure you
are eating properly and getting the proper amount of
vitamin supplements. Nutritionist in my area charge
about $60 for the first visit. It was money well spent and
an amazing experience.
Talk with your doctor about exercise and what type is best
for you. It might be as simple as taking a daily walk.
If you're a business or SOHO owner, you MUST be
healthy to meet the demands that confront you on a
daily basis.
OverHalling your problem areas might be harder for you
if you are already tired, dragging your feet, achy, sore and
don't know what's wrong. OverHalling is not easy! It will
take time, commitment, energy, and strength.
Don't let getting healthy become a resolution that you
break or a goal that you never accomplish.
Make it a *Goal-Resolve*!
==============
Janet is a Certified Professional Organizer,
Certified Pyramid Feng Shui Practitioner, Speaker, and Author
and can help you regain control of your life, your time, your
stuff, and your environment. FREE newsletter, OverHall IT! at
http://www.overhall.com/newsletter.htm
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