The first step is to make a resolution that is manageable, attainable and desirable followed by a prioritization of your goals. For many their resolutions look like the following – I want to quit smoking, I want to eat better, I want to be healthy and I want to get fit. Before beginning any program that involves weight loss, London Drugs pharmacists recommend consulting with a Medical Doctor. Once that is done, below are the steps that you can take to meet your resolution with a London Drugs pharmacist.
For those who want to quit smoking, London Drugs is again offering their Smoking Cessation Clinic in the Pharmacy Department. At the clinic, the pharmacist will assess current smoking habits, show how smoking may affect appearance with age through digitally aged photography and provide information on the health risks of smoking and the benefits of quitting. To help quit smoking there are a number of over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies that are discussed during the thirty minute session. Identifying triggers is one of the key strategies for smoking cessation. The assessment will assist in identifying your smoking triggers while the pharmacist will help develop a personalized stop smoking plan. The full schedule is available here.
For those looking for help during the year the Smoking Cessation Clinic is available at any time at any London Drugs – the only thing missing is the photograph.
For those who want to eat better, the London Drugs Nutrition & Metabolism Clinic is a great step. At the clinic, the patient care pharmacist will perform a body composition analysis that will reveal the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), percentage of body fat, percentage of water and fat free mass using the Tanita 3000 machine. BMR is the calculation of the number of calories you need to consume each day to perform functions such as keeping your blood flowing and digesting food. Throughout the forty-five minute personalized consultation the patient care pharmacist will access height and the waist to hip measurement. It is recommended that clinic participants avoid intense exercise twelve hours before the test, avoid eating or drinking (especially caffeinated products) four hours before the test, empty their bladder thirty minutes before the test and should not consumer alcohol 48 hours before taking the body composition analysis.
Through discussions with the patient care pharmacist, participants will be able to assess eating habits and learn about what makes up a healthy diet. The clinic is designed to help participants meet their nutrition and exercise goals through take away materials explaining the importance of consuming a healthy diet and maintaining physical activity. Recognizing what healthy eating entails will make it simpler for clinic participants to put their newfound knowledge into action. The full schedule is available here.
Pharmacists are also available to answer questions related to being healthy. As part of your health care team, a pharmacist is able to give you information on any of your prescription medications and how they could interact with any vitamins or supplements that you are taking. If you have questions about anything in the pharmacy, ask a pharmacist to help you. Another resource to utilize is www.ldhealth.com for full information on anything to do with your health.
If your desire is to get fit London Drugs has a wide variety of health and fitness products including yoga mats, exercise balls, fitness gear and a wide range of fitness DVD’s to help you reach that goal. Additionally one can ask for a London Drugs Fitness Journal which helps to make out your plan.This year when resolution time comes know that you can achieve your resolution when you know the right place to begin. To start off 2010 on the right foot visit your local London Drugs pharmacy and talk with a pharmacist.
ABOUT LONDON DRUGS
Founded in 1945, B.C.-based London Drugs currently has 72 stores in more than 35 major markets throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Renowned for its creative approach to retailing, the company employs more than 7,500 people and carries a diverse range of health and consumer electronic products. With its strong commitment to innovation and customer appreciation, London Drugs has established itself as a reputable and caring company and continues to position itself for future growth and development.
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Cynnamon Schreinert, Media Relations, London Drugs
604-802-2733
cynnamon@shaw.ca