3. Forgetfulness: You keep telling yourself you will be compliant with your meds, but you have a bad track record. 

To solve this problem you may want to click here, or go to your local pharmacy, and get a pill organizer.  I find these work really nice for making sure you take all your meds. 

Even better, and if possible, you should talk to your doctor about changing your asthma medicine regime so all your medicines only need to be taken once or twice a day.  That way, the only time you have to take your meds is when you get up in the morning and just before bed.

4. Socializing:  You are a socializer and you don't want to quit.  You have many friends, you like to have fun, and you don't want your asthma to get in the way. 

Regardless, the places your friends hang out are filled with asthma triggers that continue to cause you trouble. You go to the bar on the weekend and the next morning -- along with your possible hangover -- you can't breathe very well. 

But you are stubborn.  You don't want to change your way of life. 

First it must be noted here that there are some social situations that you might simply have to avoid, like those crowded, non-vented, smoke-infested bars or your chain-smoking Aunt Millie's house, or your uncle's moldy cabin. Come on! It's only common sense that you need to avoid those places.

Still, you do not have to avoid all the things you love to do just because you have asthma. For the most part, preventative medicines should help you live a normal life (again, if you don't take preventative meds, see your doctor).

But, if that alone doesn't do it, and you don't want to quit having fun, there are a few other tricks you may want to incorporate into your life:.

• Do not smoke.
• Tell your friends not to smoke around you (if they are truly your friends they should respect your wishes.)
• Do not drink too much. Drinking dries out your lungs and can trigger asthma symptoms.
• Try to have social outings at your home so you can control the atmosphere.
• Smoke free bars or restaurants are always nice.

5.  Stress:  You worked out all weekend long and you feel good about yourself, but then you return to work and your boss stresses you out, and this makes your asthma worse.  In the past you have used this as an excuse to quit.

Not this year. It is true stress can cause asthma, and it's true stess is often used as an excuse to pig out,  but this stress can be managed.  Click here and I will morph you to a nice article called, "10 Tips for Managing Stress to Avoid Asthma Attacks." 

All right, so you've made the committment to a healthier living, and now you're aware of the five things that might get in your way (and some tips to avoid them).  Now it's time to start living healthier.  No more excuses.