Making Healthy New Year Resolutions

We’re almost done with 2010 and I can honestly say I am looking forward to 2011.  Health wise 2010 was one of the most difficult for me as I was hampered by a variety of age related problems.

I probably spent more time in the hospital this past year than I have in my entire 63 years.

I’ve been told that my electrical wiring has malfunctioned which created a few unexpected problems, the biggest coming with atrial fibrillation/flutter where my heart would get stuck at 140 beats per minute and not return to a normal rhythm.

Hilo Hospital performed a couple of electrical cardio versions to get the heart rate pumping normally, but it would return to abnormal levels following long runs or stressful situations.

This led to several months of sleepless nights and not being able to run, but I continued to walk to maintain my healthy weight.  And walk I did, seven miles a day at a brisk 15 minute per mile pace.

On Nov. 2nd I returned to Straub Hospital on Oahu for my second ablation with Dr. Hingson Chun and have now slowly begun the process of rebuilding my endurance so that I can once again run.

I know 2011 will be the best year ever for me because with all those elevens, I was born on 11/11, and married on 1/11 so 2011 will have significance and “will be my best year ever” according to my wife, Randee.

I have a simple resolution going into the New Year and that is to be able to run my first 5K (3.1 miles) race without walking.  I don’t care what time I do it in as long as I am able to jog the entire distance without pausing due to loss of breath.

Jan. 1, 2011 I will be at Coconut Island to host and run in the New Year’s Day Resolution Run/Walk which begins at 9 am.  The public is invited and all you need to do is sign in and be willing to have some fun.

Following the event Big Dog Productions will provide snacks and Keith Aoki from Anheuser-Busch will provide Vidration Sports Drinks, while supplies last.

The great thing about announcing Resolutions is that the chances of achieving a positive outcome is much higher than if you kept your resolution to yourself because you have others watching to see if you can conquer your dream. 

Doc Morita

Hilo Internist, Dr. Aaron Morita, had the following health and fitness resolutions for the upcoming New Year.

“My health related resolutions for 2011:  Eat less and more wisely.  Lose another 5 to 7 pounds so I can run better with less load on my legs and manage my metabolic risk factors with minimal or no medications for many more years, Doc Morita said.

“I’d like to work at managing stress better as our government, Medicare and health insurances in general are making it more and more difficult to practice medicine by having to follow oodles more regulations that make it harder (more red tape) to provide timely evaluation and management services to patients while at the same time avoiding financial hardships or trouble to the very complex business of medicine,” Morita said. 

Pete Hoffman

Hawaii County Council, Vice Chair, Pete Hoffmann just completed his 29^th Honolulu Marathon a few weeks ago also has a resolution for 2011.

“For me, I intend to make certain that I complete at least one 13 mile run each month during the New Year,” Hoffmann said.  “I’ve never been able to do that, but I feel I must get out of the comfortable rut in which I usually find myself and at my age I must do better.”

Hoffmann has promised himself to do at least one more marathon to reach number 30.

“My wife is threatening divorce if I go beyond doing my 30^th Honolulu Marathon,” Hoffmann said with a grin.  “Someone needs to remind me why I like this insanity.”

Jerry Chang

For State House Representative Jerry Chang his healthy resolution is a simple one.

“I’d like to run 3 miles at least four times per week,” Chang said.  “I would also like to cut down on oily foods while increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables that I eat.”

Making resolutions that are realistic are important and provide us with a reachable goal as well as a measuring stick into our progress.

Howard Ainsely

Howard Ainsley, Hilo Medical Center CEO, had the following resolution:

“My resolution for 2011 is to be more consistent in my wellness plan of improved health and life balance,” Ainsley said.  “I want to be more disciplined in workouts (tennis, body boarding, cycling), explore more of beautiful Hawaii with my wife, reduce my body fat while increasing stamina and endurance, make application for doctoral program, and to assist people in need without asking anything in return.”

Ainsley is also hoping to bring a greater value to the Hilo Medical Center team of employees and physicians as they try to improve and grow health care resources and outreach for our community.

Howard Ainsley, Pete Hoffmann, Aaron Morita, Jerry Chang and I are all looking to make positive contributions in a New Year that brings with it the opportunity of hope and the promise of knowing that all things are possible.

There is always room for improvement from being more patient with your children or more loving towards your spouse, positive change at a higher level is within our reach.

“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better man (person),” Benjamin Franklin wrote.

If you’re looking at starting the New Year out in a healthy way then join us at 9 am in the parking area of Coconut Island on Jan 1^st and let’s do as much as we are capable of doing with like minded people.

And someday should you happen to see a jogger trying to make the most of life’s blessings remember to smile, say “woof” and never shy away from “Running with the Big Dog.”

Email the Big Dog at waiakeabigdog@aol.com.