During this time of year people are regularly surprised when I tell them that the average American gains about 7 pounds from Thanksgiving to Christmas. While it is no surprise as to why this happens, as I pondered the Christmas story itself over the past week or two, it struck me as a much bigger shock. It has always fascinated me to think of how astonished Mary must have been, not yet officially married to Joseph, to find out that she was soon to have a “surprise” pregnancy, supernaturally. Surprise pregnancies, probably as much as anything else, bring a sudden dramatic change to a woman’s life. Whether a surprise or planned, many pregnant women often engage in dramatic lifestyle changes. I’ve heard story after story of moms telling me about dropping caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes, even drugs. They share how they make positive changes by eating more fruits and vegetables, increasing exercise as well as numerous other improvements. After all, nobody wishes to hurt an innocent little baby. Right?
I recall my own mother telling me the story of cutting back on smoking while she was pregnant with me and my brother, of which in jest my brother and I still occasionally refer to each other as ‘nicotine babies’ ‘, much to my mother’s chagrin. Thankfully, she has remained quit since I was a child, though it took about a decade for her to permanently seal the decision.
But shouldn’t we all be aiming for our best health with the intensity of a pregnant mom? What makes the difference? Perhaps it has something to do with how we define ourselves while we relate to our own circumstances. I remember my brother calling me on the phone part way through the pandemic and asking me if I had “gained my COVID 19 yet?” (as in 19 pounds). Thankfully, I couldn’t yet oblige him with that. On the contrary, I’ve seen a number of people use the circumstances of the pandemic to make some substantial improvements, often with lifesaving benefits.
So how about you? With the New Year upon us, and the recurrent theme of resolutions stirring once again, have you made any for this year? Maybe life with a new baby is not on the horizon, but the same principle that makes having a new baby of great worth is also found in each of us. Isn’t it about time that we acknowledge the great gift of life that we are given and make the most of it? Even if it takes ten years, like it did my mom, to quit a bad habit, wouldn’t it be worth it? And who knows, if you really give it your all, maybe you can make a significant advance, that will not only impact your health but will also improve your quality of life, your day-to-day joy and satisfaction, and will likely influence someone else for the better.
And with that, here are a few of my own personal New Year’s resolutions:
- Spend a thoughtful hour every day contemplating the life of Jesus.
- Work up to at least an hour per day in either a standard app-based calisthenic exercise program or various outdoor exercises.
- Never overeat when engaging in an evening meal.
And there you have it, nothing like a public declaration to help make it happen!
Now you go ahead. Make your own resolution. Take it seriously and tell at least one person. Make it a SMART (specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and time-based) goal and put in your full effort to make it happen. God will help you.
2022 here we come!
May your health prosper,
Dr. Greg Steinke