It’s 2017 and everyone hopes to make changes for the better.
Eat better, join a gym, drink more water, get eight hours of sleep every night … many of the most popular New Year’s resolutions are focused on living a healthier, more balanced life. This year, pick one of the following worthy resolutions, and stick with it. Here’s to your health!
Lose weight -The fact that this is perennially among the most popular resolutions suggests just how difficult it is to commit to. But you can succeed if you don’t expect overnight success. Also, plan for bumps in the road. Use a food journal to keep track of what you eat and have a support system in place.
Cut your stress – A little pressure now and again won’t kill us; in fact, short bouts of stress give us an energy boost. But if stress is chronic, it can increase your risk of—or worsen—insomnia, depression, obesity, heart disease, and more. Long work hours, little sleep, no exercise, poor diet, and not spending time with family and friends can contribute to stress. Relaxation, sleep, socializing, and taking vacations are all things we tell ourselves we deserve but don’t allow ourselves to have.
Get more sleep – You probably already know that a good night’s rest can do wonders for your mood – and appearance. But sleep is more beneficial to your health than you might realize. A lack of sleep has been linked to a greater risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. So take a nap and don’t feel guilty about it.
Detox the body – If you’ve been eating the wrong foods, not getting enough sleep, not drinking enough water, drinking alcohol, or smoking, your body would probably benefit greatly from a detox program. These can be whole body, or you can focus on a specific organ.
Travel – It’s tempting to want to get out and see more of the world, especially if you feel stuck in your rut or you haven’t been anywhere lately. This is one of the most common resolutions, just be sure to be a bit more specific on where you want to go because vague ideas rarely get done, but attainable goals are something you can work with. The joys and rewards of vacations can last long after the suitcase is put away.Take a risk and try new things.
Tips to achieve your New Year’s fitness goals
The problem with these goals is that they are difficult to maintain. Most people want to see a significant weight loss within a few months or hope to change eating habits within a few weeks. Unfortunately, weight loss can be more complicated than that, but here are some tips to help you reach your goals.
Set Realistic Goals – First, choose a resolution that is attainable. If you were trying to be healthier either through diet or exercise, set a more realistic goal. For instance, plan to exercise for 30 minutes 2-3 days per week, and gradually increase throughout the year. When trying to eat healthier, make small changes, such as eating one fruit per day, and increase as this becomes a daily habit.
Make Your Health a Priority – Perhaps the most difficult thing to do is to make all of this work in your hectic schedule. It usually helps to maintain a list of things you need to do. To help with your cooking, try to plan a menu each week so you will know exactly what you need at the grocery store – and to minimize the possibility of ordering take-out. If you must eat lunch or dinner out, remember that healthy choices, such as salads or wraps, are better options.
Get Support -To help you meet your resolutions, you also need support within your everyday life. While family and friends are a great support system, you also need to “redo” your house and office space. Try to eliminate all the “junk” foods or foods that you have a weakness for. This could include chips, crackers, cookies, bread, etc. Replace these items with healthier alternatives in your refrigerator, pantry, and at work. Consider including yogurt (Greek yogurt will provide more protein, making you feel fuller longer), whole grain crackers or bread, high fiber cereal, oatmeal, fresh fruit or vegetables, and water.
Whether your plans are to exercise more, lose weight, or change a bad habit, find inspiration here!