It’s not really that New Year’s resolutions are bad for you or unhealthy. New Year’s resolutions are about making positive changes to better your health or your quality of life. However, people sometimes choose ambitious health goals without coming up with a plan to achieve these goals. I have a list of what I think is the best plan of action for a New Year. Follow this plan and you will be on your way to a great year of healthy habits and a healthier you! If you need any help, please do not hesitate to contact us and let us help you get started and enter into the New Year right.
Think Long Term
The quick “Fad Diets” produce quick results, but these results are typically short-lived. If you want sustainable habits, try focusing on proper portion sizes, make half your plate fruits and vegetables, and make exercise a part of your normal daily routine.
Attainable Health Goals
Don’t set yourself up for frustration and regret. Make sure that your health goals are realistic. Most people give up on their New Year’s resolutions because they’re too difficult to keep up with, not sustainable, or both. Be honest with yourself as well as your current lifestyle. Make changes that will improve, rather than overhaul your current routine.
Have a Plan
Aggressive lifestyle changes rarely stick. For example, if you normally live a sedentary lifestyle and you eat mostly convenience foods, then it’s going to be very difficult to suddenly run every day and eat a vegan diet. So the best way to do it is to make small changes that contribute to a larger health goal. Start gradual and work up to running every day.
Write Things Down
Make sure you write down your health goals and put them in a place where you can see them every day, such as your refrigerator, your work computer, your phone, or your bathroom mirror. This helps you remember your goals and helps you stay on track.
Return to your health goals
Keep looking back on your goals. Think about them once a month, once a week, or even on a daily basis. Are you keeping up with your goals? Do you need outside help? Is there anything that you can do to improve and reach those goals faster?
Create Healthy habits
One of the most important thing to remember about New Year’s resolutions is that you want to make lasting changes rather than temporary alterations. For example, if losing weight is your ultimate goal, then choose healthy eating habits that will help you accomplish this goal.
I have put together a few examples of healthy habits that you can incorporate this year to help you reach your health/fitness goals this year!
- Move more, sit less. The most important thing to remember is there is no minimum duration for physical activity, every minute of activity counts towards your daily total. Aim for at least 30 minutes of activity every day!
- Eat your veggies. As stated earlier, you eventually want half your plate to be veggies. If you aren’t normally into eating vegetables, start by eating at one type of vegetable with every meal then work up to more.
- Drink water. Drinking water helps maintain good health and a healthy weight. Water can help keep you from drinking carbonated and sugary beverages. Every once in a while, I’ll drink Powerade to help my electrolytes and to stay hydrated. If you are prone to sweating a lot, this is the way to go. If your electrolytes are off balance you will feel it and it can be very dangerous!
- Choose healthy, active hobbies. Hobbies that keep you physically active are a great way to improve your health. For example, things like hiking, cycling, paddling, running, tennis, dancing, and team sports are all good choices and ideas.
- Keep a health log. This can be accomplished by an app on your phone, or an old fashioned paper journal. Track things like activity, sleep, food you’re eating, how you’re feeling, and of course any health symptoms you may have. A health log gives you a lot better picture of your habits and daily routine, and what your body is doing and how it is responding to your new habits. It can also give your doctor a better understanding of your overall health.
I hope this helps you. I want you to start off the New Year right and have a plan. You know the old saying, “Failing to plan, you’re planning to fail” Follow this plan and you are bound to reach your goals and have a wonderful year. Thank you for reading my blog and I wish you the best in the New Year. Please let me know if I can help in any way!
Take care and remember, You only get one body…………..Make the Change!
Darren
Harmony Shift 