5 Worthy Asthma New Year's Resolutions

Some experts denounce New Year’s resolutions. Marquette Magazine noted they usually fail and lead to some form of “self-loathing.” The Huffington post said they are “rarely met, usually disappointing and sometimes resulting in divorce.”

I do not agree with this assessment: I love New Year’s resolutions. I think of them as goals for creating a better YOU. If you do not set a goal to improve yourself, chances are you have a zero chance of making yourself better. If you do set a goal, sure you might fail. But you also might succeed.

5 resolutions I have made over the years

So, that said, here are 5 resolutions I have made for myself in past years. Some I have succeeded at, others not so much.

1. Take your medicine exactly as prescribed

   Now, I know I’m a lifetime asthmatic, respiratory therapist, and so-called asthma expert. But I am still human. I’m usually pretty good about taking my medicine. But, sometimes I forget.

   I also tend to be kind of a procrastinator (don’t tell my wife I admitted this) when it comes to refilling my prescriptions. And, I am pretty confident I am not alone in these failings. So, making sure you always have access to your medicine, and taking it exactly as prescribed, is a goal that should set you on a path to better asthma control.

2. Use your peak flow meter every day

   I was introduced to the peak flow meter way back in the 1970s. I have tried many times to create a system where I would use it every day. But, I usually fail at some point.

   Usually, I fail when I start to feel good. So, even though it’s highly likely I might fail, perhaps this is the year I record 365 peak flows. I personally am not making this resolution this year. However, perhaps it’s something that might help you obtain better asthma control.

3. The same can be said for asthma journals.

   Blah! I am horrible at keeping them up. I know the value, but I can’t seem to do it. I do it for a few weeks. I have succeeded for a month. But, then I will go the rest of the year without doing it. And I of anyone know the value of these. So, some year I’m going to set this as a goal. Not this year, though.

4. Lose weight!!!!

   Yeah, yeah! You’ve heard this a thousand times. This is the most common resolution and most people fail. Then, say the so-called experts, they get bummed and discouraged. But, as I said above, I don’t see it that way. I say as long as you are trying you are succeeding. And, who knows, this might just be the year you actually pull it off.

   Actually, last year I did succeed: I lost 30 pounds. And I can tell you my asthma is all the better for it. Heck, I just feel better all around.

5. Do resistance training three times a week

   Look, you can do pretty much any weightlifting program if you have asthma. It requires repetitions with weights. But, you get to rest in between sets. So, it’s perfect for asthmatics. If you want, you don’t even need weights. You can just do calisthenics.

   I personally like to use free weights. The program I like to use is the one Bill Phillips recommends. I kind of tweaked it to my own liking. I personally would love to have that perfect body. And I set this as a goal almost every New Year. And I have had some degree of success. But, (being honest here) I still don’t have that six-pack. But, I try.

What is your resolution?

Sure, you might like my resolutions here. You may also have some of your own. If you’d like some more ideas for asthma-related resolutions, please check out Theresa’s post, New Years Resolution Challenge.”