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| THE COLONY NEWS | FEBRUARY 2024 | 17 Health & More TECH TALK Wednesday, Feb. 14, 9 to 10 am. Need help with e Colony Box Office? Do you have questions about your cellphone or tablet? Come to the Meeting Room the second Wednesday of each month and we will help you. ere is no cost to attend and no need to RSVP. CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP ursday, Feb. 8, 10 am in the Lounge. Presented by Kristi Necochea, this group educates and supports those who are caring for a loved one with any ailment. We meet the second ursday of each month. HEARING AID CHECK ursday, Feb. 15, 9 to 10:30 am. is free service is provided by Johnson & Johnson every third ursday of the month in the Clubhouse Card Room. RESTORATIVE YOGA WITH MELISSA - MIND & BODY Tuesdays, 8:30 am; ursdays, 7 pm in the Annex. First class is $15 and may be used toward membership. Membership is $80 per month and includes two classes per week. Drop-ins are $15 per session. Ten memberships per month minimum to retain instructor. Beginners welcome. The Colony is now offering multi-day tours and cruises, which include airfare, transfers and pick up from The Colony parking lot. Below is a partial list of excursions available. Please see Kara in the Activities Office for a full itinerary and information or visit www.friendlyexcursions.com. MULTI-DAY EXCURSIONS Feb. 6-11: Count Down to Mardi Gras! May 14-21: Best of Florida: Key West, Miami and Orlando Aug. 18 - 22: Grand Sierras Sept. 4-13: Great Smoky Mountains, Nashville & Kentucky Oct. 16-31: Greek Isles, Italy & France According to a survey from Forbes Health, the top five New Year's Resolutions for 2024 are (in order from first to fih) to improve fitness, improve finances, improve mental health, lose weight, and improve diet. Improving our fitness, losing weight and improving our diets seem like excellent goals considering that 69 percent of U.S. adults are overweight or obese according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Although many people will begin 2024 with high hopes and good intentions, by April almost 66 percent will have abandoned their resolutions and by the end of the year, only about 6 percent of people will still be working on their goals. What is the difference between the 6 percent who succeed and the 66 percent who give up aer 3-4 months? According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the second definition for revolution is a sudden, radical, or complete change. I would suggest to you that the difference between the 66 percent who give up on their goals aer 3-4 months and the 6 percent who persevere and achieve their goals throughout the year is the difference between making a "resolution" versus committing to a "revolution" in how you view your health. So how can people make the changes needed to improve their diet, lose weight and improve their level of fitness and mental health? Change begins with the understanding that a healthy diet, weight loss, regular exercise and mental health are all interrelated goals which must all be pursued together at the same time. It is not possible to achieve true health and wellness without pursuing each of these goals. Having a healthy diet and achieving a healthy weight along with mental health and physical fitness are like the four legs of a table. If any of those four legs are missing, the table will not stand. Achieving meaningful health goals such as weight loss and healthy eating will require a plan, patience and perseverance. e steps that need to be taken are not complicated; but they are very difficult because they require that you eliminate bad habits and replace them with new and healthy ones. is will not be easy; but it is possible. If you have a fitness and weight loss goal for this year, I would strongly encourage you to consider seeking the advice of your physician and a dietitian who can help you in formulating a diet and exercise plan that is customized to your individual needs. Beware of fad diets or programs that promise quick results without changing your lifestyle. e only way to achieve and maintain long term health and wellness is to replace bad habits with healthy ones – and that will require a "revolution" in how you view your health. Self-Improvement in the New Year By Leslee B. Cochrane, MD, Executive Medical Director – Hospice of the Valleys, 951-200-7800

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