In the quest for a healthy lifestyle, we have all made New Year's resolutions and we have all broken them.

Many people are attracted to the concept of healthier and more natural living.

But the market is flooded with books touting the best way to live, eat, breathe and exercise. It is easy to become overwhelmed by what is best and worst for good health.

So what is the secret to beginning the journey to living a healthy lifestyle? It could be ICARE:

Increased consciousness: Becoming open to new choices for healthier living

Awareness: Recognizing tools that are available to help make those choices

Resolution: Deciding to and actually taking the steps needed to set goals and make changes

Education: Seeking the knowledge to make the healthiest choices

Using the ICARE idea will help the body to begin the journey of healthy living and provide the necessary resources to continue the journey for years to come.

Setting and reaching a goal requires mental, physical and soulful efforts. If the soul is not conscious of the need for change and the mind is not aware of the knowledge to make the best decisions for change, then the body will not have the motivation or the fuel to move forward.

Education is a key to success. Becoming educated regarding the needs of the body by consulting with a nutritionist or health care professional is of important before beginning a program that includes certain foods, supplements or diets that may be harmful.

Consulting a physical therapist regarding painful joints before beginning an exercise regimen is important in preventing further injury.

Consulting a personal coach will help raise your consciousness about the mental changes needed for long term motivation and future success.

Begin today to care about yourself in a new and invigorating way. Stop feeling the guilt about past failures. Instead, look to the future with hope as you begin to live more consciously and aware of the choices around you.

Using ICARE will help to tap the resources of the body as a whole in setting and reaching goals along your journey of healthy living for years to come.

This article was submitted by Lorri Lankiewicz, who is a licensed physical therapist, certified athletic trainer and designated personal wellness coach. She is the owner of Balance For Wellness Physical Therapy and Wellness Center on Route 8 south in Butler. She can be reached by at 724-477-3181 or at the company's Web site at www.balanceforwellness.com