Experts offer tips for achieving a healthy lifestyle

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Self control and planning are more effective than willpower in changing to a healthy lifestyle.
Experts at the Mayo Clinic say that willpower is not the best way to quit smoking, cut down on drinking or eat more healthily. They say it will take from three to 30 goes to achieve a healthy lifestyle. These are best achieved by a combination of planning and self control, not by just going 'cold turkey'.

For instance, when it comes to smoking cessation, the willpower approach would mean stopping suddenly. Planning, however, would involve visiting your physician to see what help and support are available. Similarly, when eating out, do not rely on only eating salad at a buffet restaurant. Instead, try selecting a restaurant that you know has low fat and vegetarian options. And leaving exercise till last thing in the day and then forcing yourself will not work long-term. Instead, plan to exercise earlier on and maybe enlist the support of a buddy. Willpower rarely works in the long term, say the Mayo experts, but planning and self-control do.

Source
Mayo Clinic Health Letter February 2007

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