Self Care

Be Strategic in Your Quest for Better Health

By Dr. Kushner / January 22, 2023 /

Improving your lifestyle to get healthier and manage weight better requires good intentions. You also need to know the strategies to follow that will give you the most bang for your buck in your quest for better health. After treating thousands of patients over my 4-decade career, I’ve learned some common pitfalls to a healthier…

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Fall into Healthier Habits with the Change of Seasons

By Dr. Kushner / October 19, 2022 /

Falling leaves and cooler weather can signal a change of seasons but it can also indicate it’s time to change up your healthy lifestyle routine. A change of seasons is the perfect time to try new things in your quest for better health. Whether you’re looking to improve your diet, become more active, get a…

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Time to Update Your Heart Health

By Dr. Kushner / July 20, 2022 /

The American Heart Association has a new checklist for lifelong good health. It’s called Life’s Essential 8, which was recently updated by a panel of experts who reviewed 2500 scientific papers since 2010. Better cardiovascular health helps lower the risk for heart disease, stroke and other major health problems. The 8 factors correlate well with…

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Stop Unhealthy Habits to Achieve Better Health

By Dr. Kushner / June 25, 2022 /

As you move through your weight loss journey, you will encounter two kinds of habits – healthy habits you want to create (such as eating more fruits and vegetables) and less healthful habits you want to stop (such as drinking sugar-sweetened beverages). You will find that it’s more challenging to stop an unhealthy habit than…

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Better Sleep, Better Health

By Dr. Kushner / February 16, 2022 /

As a physician specializing in weight management, I always take a sleep history from my new patients. The quality and amount of daily sleep have emerged as major factors in health and weight management. In fact, a new research study found that increasing the number of hours slept could help decrease food intake and weight.…

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Create Daily Self-Care Health Rituals

By Dr. Kushner / February 9, 2022 /

Self-care is your ability to give your mind and body what they need in order to stay healthy. This includes eating well, being active, de-stressing, getting enough sleep and engaging in leisure-time activities that bring you joy and help re-charge your batteries. Healthy eating and living are all about finding foods and activities you enjoy…

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Health Behavior Flexibility is Good for Your Weight & Health

By Dr. Kushner / January 29, 2022 /

Do you approach improving your weight and health with a more flexible or inflexible mindset? If you’re unsure, here are some questions to ask yourself: Are you someone who has strict rules you tell yourself you must follow? Do you have a long list of forbidden foods that you must not eat? Do you feel…

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Keeping Healthy Lifestyle Focus in Times of Stress

By Dr. Kushner / December 22, 2021 /

In my practice, stress and coping are topics I regularly address. I try and help patients see the connection between their life stressors, coping skills and overall health. The goal is to help patients cope more healthfully and keep the positive focus they need to maintain their healthy lifestyle habits. If life stressors impair your…

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From Deprivation Dieting to Enjoying a Healthier Lifestyle

By Dr. Kushner / October 19, 2021 /

Strict diet rules are hard to follow for long periods of time. Examples may include banning all carbs from your diet or never allowing yourself to enjoy treat-type foods ever again. Because losing weight and getting healthier are really important to you, you may challenge yourself to follow these rules in hopes that this time…

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Self-Weighing Without Self-Judgement

By Dr. Kushner / September 3, 2021 /

Self-monitoring is one of the most important behavioral strategies for improving the healthfulness of your lifestyle. If, for example, you want to lower your blood pressure, you may purchase a blood pressure monitor so you can self-monitor at home. Reaching a health goal is easier to accomplish if you measure it on a regular basis.…

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