Setting realistic heart-health expectations

Developing a solid heart-health plan is a long-term commitment. It's also important to be realistic in your plan. Here are three tips. 

• An important element of the process is to decide what you can change. For example, if you've determined that the stress of your work life is a risk to your heart health, it's no good telling your boss that you refuse to work late ever again. But, you can quietly look around for a new job, or re-train so you can move to a company that makes fewer demands on your personal life.
• In the meantime, you might decide to use some relaxing techniques to reduce stress related to overworking or a difficult work environment. If you realize that living next to a main road is a health risk, you may not be in a position to move. That said, there are still things you can do. In this case, you could buy earplugs to help you get a better night's sleep.
• Making a realistic plan means looking at each risk factor and thinking, if you can not eradicate the problem immediately or entirely, what small changes you can take on or begin with.

• Once you understand what's realistic, you can devise a timetable. You can't alter the habits of a lifetime in a few weeks, but you can start to make changes that will last, and build on them.
• You will find it useful to keep a running record in a notebook so you can see your successes, or remember what didn't work and try something else.
•  Ultimately, set an interim goal, don't imagine that you can put everything right in a few days.

• Take advantage of whatever support is available. Tell your friends that you are quitting smoking and ask for their help. Cajole your partner or children to join you in getting involved in more physical activities. Talk to your doctor if you run into problems with your weight-loss regime.