Flu vaccines are in!

Written by: Dr. Marcia Whalen

Our yearly supply of flu vaccines are ready for our clients.  Please give us a call at (949) 706-3300 or contact us via this website to schedule an appointment.

Who Should Consider the Flu Vaccine This Year?

Infants and children 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year starting with the 2010-2011 influenza season. CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted for “universal” flu vaccination in the U.S. to expand protection against the flu to more people.

Potential High-Risk Groups:  While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it’s especially important that the following groups get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications:

• Pregnant women
• Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:   Health care workers, household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu, household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

  Vaccines We Have Available:

• Flu shot — an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people, people with chronic medical conditions, and pregnant women.
• Nasal-spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “live attenuated influenza vaccine” or FluMist®). LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.
• High dose Fluzone – For 65 years of age and older

* “Healthy” indicates persons who do not have an underlying medical condition that predisposes them to influenza complications.

WHY you shouldn’t focus on WHAT you want

Written by: Krista Reader

Do you ever wonder why some of the health and fitness plans you start are effortless to maintain, while others never seem to gain the traction needed to reach the finish line?  Whether it was a New Year’s resolution, results from an annual physical exam, or the office’s Biggest Loser pool, each of us have experienced times where lofty goals are set for all the right reasons and lifestyle makeovers begin with plenty of fervor.   Sometimes we stick with it, and sometimes we don’t.  Most of the time these promises to ourselves start with the same level of enthusiasm and planning, and yet, there will inevitably be a few that don’t make it over the long haul.

Why is that?

Health and fitness academia refer to this “stick-to-it-ness” as adherence.  Research has sliced up the issue of adherence in just about every way possible.  And what we have learned from their work is that regardless of the goal, situation, and individual, there are behaviors and beliefs strongly correlated with sustainable lifestyle makeovers.  Of these common factors for increased adherence, one of the most powerful change agents is a having a clear focus on the “why”.  On the other hand, we are much less likely to stick with our plans when we focus on the “what”.

Here’s an example;

GOAL

Improve cardiovascular health.

“WHAT” YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE

Bring cholesterol and triglyceride numbers into normal ranges.

- OR -

“WHY” YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE IT

Because you believe that parents serve as the most influential source for the healthy behaviors of their children.

We can look to the field of Psychology to gain additional insight into the “What” and “Why” sources of motivation.  Basically, the “what” sources of motivation revolve around external rewards, and the “why” sources of motivation come from internal beliefs and personal meaning.  It is important to note that both of these sources are effective at varying levels but, ironically, the problem arises when we actually meet our external “what” rewards.  In the above example, once cholesterol and triglyceride numbers hit the normal ranges, it will be difficult to continue the exercise and clean eating due to the perceived end point as well as not being able to see continued rewards for the effort involved.  However, when we connect behaviors to deeper personal meaning like instilling healthy attitudes within our families, then we find it much easier to remain committed.

So next time you set a goal, spend some extra time to identify a personal belief or sense of meaning that will fuel your efforts throughout a lifetime.  And if you have trouble with this introspective process, find a knowledge Health Coach that can help you uncover values and beliefs.

Victor Hall, Director Healthfit 4 Life