The New Year is a time for change. Like most of us, you may feel there’s some room for improvement in your life – in your physical fitness, your relationships, or your work-life balance. If there’s a piece of your puzzle missing, what simple changes might help bring the picture into focus? What can you do to make 2019 the year you really feel whole? Dr. Ledy Rojas, a primary care doctor in Lake Nona, suggests starting with these four steps.

• See Your Primary Care Provider.

Make an appointment and instigate an open and honest conversation about your real health goals and what you and your care team can do to achieve them. “Tell your doctor: ‘I’m ready to change, to maximize my health, and I need your help,’ ” says Dr. Rojas. Your doctor will likely start with a physical to get baseline numbers for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and other important measurements.

• Get a Move On.

In other words, exercise at a quick enough pace that you can’t hold a conversation or update your social media status. Do it every day for 30 minutes. You won’t believe how much better you’ll feel meeting this easy goal. “Getting started is as simple as walking in one direction for 15 minutes and walking back,” says Dr. Rojas.

• Rest.

You need seven to eight hours of sleep per night, and if you’re not getting it, your doctor needs to know. “If you do feel like you’re sleeping but are still tired, that’s a problem,” says Dr. Rojas. “People think significant fatigue is a natural part of aging, but it isn’t. If you’re waking up tired, you may have a treatable sleep disorder.”

• Eat, Drink, But Be Healthy.

Dietary recommendations vary widely by individual health, disease, allergies and preferences. Get your doctor’s recommendations based on the findings of your physical. If you need to lose weight, prepare healthy meals in advance so that you’re not tempted to eat out or grab quick, processed food. Drink water – a lot of it. “Hardly anyone drinks enough water,” says Dr.Rojas. “Challenge yourself to drink 64 ounces a day for a week and see how you feel.”

About Dr. Rojas

Ledy Rojas, MD, is a board-certified family medicine physician. Dr. Rojas provides primary care services to men, women and children (age five and older), with a special focus on women’s care and obesity prevention. She is fluent in English and Spanish.

To learn more and to make an appointment, visit AdventHealthMedicalGroup.com for a customized search by zip code or call 407-930-7801. All of our physicians are part of the AdventHealth Care Network.