¡New year -- New you!

Every year on January 1, people across the globe make New Year's resolutions.
Some write a list of the top things they want to change in their lives, set goals for the coming year, or even pick that same one thing they have yet  to master.
Most common among resolutions is to lose weight, eat right and get healthy.
We support that one entirely. Good health is the hallmark for a good life in so many ways.
In the last 25 years, resolutions concerning weight, exercise, better relationships and quitting smoking have been at the top of the list, according to Dr. John C. Norcross, co-author of Changing for Good.
This year, let's not make resolutions a trite statement with no real meaning behind it. Let's actually do it.

Here are some simple tips to get healthier in 2011:

• Eat right.

Make wise choices in the types of foods you eat; add lean proteins, more fruits and vegetables, and monitor portion sizes. Eat food low in saturated fat and cholesterol and moderate sugars. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water daily. Write what you eat down to help you keep track of your intake; a food journal forces you to be aware of what you eat.

• Exercise more.

For exercise to help with weight loss, experts advise regular aerobic physical activity, such as walking, biking or swimming, for at least 20 to 30 minutes a day, three to five times a week. If you're a beginner, start slow, but be consistent and determined. Join a fitness center, or take classes at area health centers like the YMCA of Greater Springfield on Chestnut Street.

• Get health exams.

It's important to know the state of your physical health before you begin any exercise regimen. Check with your doctor to see if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. For woman, get annual breast and gynecological exams. For men, get prostrate exams as needed. Regular exams are preventative and proactive measures to minimize health risks.

• Get support.

Find a friend, family member, co-worker or someone else with similar "get healthy" goals to serve as an accountability partner, to offer support when you're feeling unmotivated. Programs such as Weight Watchers or working with a dietitian, nutritionist or personal trainer are also effective ways to garner support and learn new ideas and strategies to getting and staying healthy. Use the many online tools and websites available to give you a framework for getting and staying healthy, such as WebMd's diet assessment tool. Also, regularly visit the Mason Square Health Task Force website.

Now, start your new year right. Stay focused. Stay positive. And remember: Take one step at a time.
Happy New Year!

Men of Color Health Awareness kicks off campaign

Health disparities between men of color and whites are alarming: men of color have the highest rates of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and are more frequently the victims of violent crimes.

That's why the Mason Square Health Task Force is so excited about the Men of Color Health Awareness (MOCHA), a program aimed at improving the health of men of color in Greater Springfield.

The Task Force is part of a community collaborative working with MOCHA that includes Baystate Health, Black Men of Greater Springfield, the YMCA of Greater Springfield and others. The YMCA will facilitate a variety of wellness classes ranging from food and fitness to financial literacy.

Earlier this month nearly 150 people, mostly black and Latino men, joined on the steps of Springfield City Hall to announce that MOCHA had received a $250,000 grant from the state Department of Public Health.

The Mason Square Health Task Force applauds MOCHA and encourages all men to get and stay healthy!