Nikki’s Notes – Exploring HCCH, One Note at a Time

Ah, January—the month when we all decide it’s time to hit the reset button on life. Maybe it’s the new calendars or the leftover holiday cookies whispering, “Do better next year,” but every year, like clockwork, we’re all about reinvention. It’s that magical time when we look back on the past year, count our blessings, and look forward, making resolutions we may or may not stick to.

Take me, for example. My resolutions always seem to hit me at the least practical moments—like halfway through binge-reading a novel while sprawled on the couch. Suddenly, I’ll think, “Next year, I’m totally running a marathon!” Or, “This is the year I’ll embrace kale smoothies!” (Spoiler: the marathon thing? Still hasn’t happened.)

Apparently, I also have a love-hate relationship with journaling. I’ve got one notebook filled with heartfelt entries… from the first two weeks of January. For three years running. I’ll give myself a pat on the back, though—each year’s entries got shorter and more manageable. Full-page reflections gave way to a couple of sentences about my day. But alas, journaling is just not my calling.

Last year, however, I stumbled upon a resolution that actually stuck. It started with the Dexa scan—a pretty nifty service we offer at a discount every January. Here’s how it went down:

I called Imaging Services to schedule my scan, paid my fee at registration, and was whisked back to the department. They handed me a gown, had me lie down on a table, and voilà—mild vibrations and a scanning arm later, I had all kinds of fascinating data about myself. Bone density? Check. Total body fat? Check. (Yikes.) The pièce de résistance? My visceral body fat—the stuff hanging out around my organs like an uninvited party guest.

When I saw those results, I knew 2024 was going to be different. I booked an appointment at the Harrison County Medical Clinic’s Weight Management and Wellness (WMW) program and laid it all out for my provider. My main struggles? Accountability and my tendency to quit when progress isn’t immediate. (Two weeks in, and I’m already side-eyeing the scale like, “Why don’t you love me?”)

Together, we set up a plan. My provider introduced me to a handy app to track my macronutrients—think fats, proteins, and carbs—and helped me set realistic goals. We also tackled water intake and exercise. For me, the best plan was to work out first thing in the morning. So, I started waking up 30 minutes earlier to walk a mile in January. Let me tell you—IT. WAS. COLD. But also exhilarating! And the best part? Knowing I’d already checked “exercise” off my to-do list before my day really began.

The WMW program was a game-changer. It kept me accountable, provided incredible support, and helped me become a healthier version of myself—without gimmicks or guilt.

Now, I’m passing the torch to you. Why not make 2025 the year you prioritize you? Whether it’s journaling, running a marathon (hey, let me know how that goes), or making healthier choices, take the first step. And if you need a little help—or a cheerleader—you know where to find us. Call HCCH at 660-425-2211 and ask for Imaging Services to schedule your discounted Dexa Body Composition Scan, or call HMC at 660-425-3154 to set up a WMW appointment, and let’s make it happen.

Here’s to new beginnings and staying warm on those January walks!