The start of a new year brings excitement, anticipation and hope that this year will be different. According to a recently published study “Lose Weight” is again the number one New Years Resolution for 2016.
But some of us have had a “get-healthy-type-resolution” on our list for so many years in a row that it has become a bit of a joke.
Some people even make bets about how long their friends’ resolutions are going to last.
The truth is, each year we analyze the things about ourselves and our life that we want to change, and we think, “What better time to begin than the start of a new year?”
So why do we keep falling short?
Is it even worth making the New Years Resolution in the first place?
Redefine the Word Resolution
The first step to making a New Years resolution you will keep is not to make a resolution at all. You see, a resolution requires no preparation. You can simply think of how you’d like life to be and say it out loud. No one is even holding you accountable (including yourself.)
But a goal, requires specific action steps. It requires you to work backwards from the big, broad life you’d like to have to the first action step you must take today.
Below are a few action steps that if taken one at a time (and integrated into your daily life) will lead to a more healthier you.
Instead of denying yourself a bag of chips or soda, start by adding a serving of vegetables and 2-3 glasses of water to your diet every day.
Water actually fills you up so that you are less likely to over eat.
Eat the rainbow – Add some color to your meal, and you’ll be full long before you’re thinking of dessert. Eventually, these healthy additions will leave you too full for those unhealthy extras.
Bring a few healthy snacks to keep with you throughout your day. Almonds, individual sized cheeses, a handful of crackers or a piece of fruit will be ‘on the ready’ when you’re forced to take a late lunch, and they’ll keep you from over-eating when lunchtime finally arrives.
Schedule a Meeting with Exercise
At the start of the month, plan out when and where you want to exercise. Put it on your calendar – scheduling a meeting with your health. Once it’s on the calendar, you’ll be much more likely to go.
And don’t get stuck thinking that exercise only happens in the gym.
- Park in the farthest parking space at the store so you get in a few more steps.
- Return your shopping cart all the way to the storefront.
- If you work in an office building with stairs, take them every time. Skip the elevator at the airport or the mall. Train yourself that every time you see an elevator to take those stairs.
- Take your dog for a walk. It will do you both good to have fresh air every day!
Don’t skip one morning. Research shows that people who skip breakfast are 10 times more likely to overeat later in the day. Don’t like breakfast? Try starting with a smoothie or even a couple of pieces of fruit. You’ll train your body to crave the nutrients you need to start the day right.
Remember the kitchen? Refrigerators weren’t originally designed to just hold our leftover take-out meals. The beauty of cooking your own meals is that you have more control over the ingredients you use and the health benefits of the meal. Whatever your level of cooking, set a goal to cook one or two more meals at home per week.
And packing your lunch the night before not only saves you calories, but it will make a big difference in your budget, too. Since your meal is decided ahead of time, you’ll be less likely to be tempted to eat something else.
Stop Multitasking… at least when it comes to eating
It’s tempting to check out Twitter or Facebook while you chow down on our lunch, especially if you’re eating alone. With no one to talk to, what else can you do? For starters, stop to enjoy your food. Taste and enjoy every bite.
Take in your surroundings – or even “people watch.” When you pay attention to what you’re eating, you make better food choices and realize when you’re full.
Bo Bennet said, “The discipline you learn and character you build from setting and achieving a goal can be more valuable than the achievement of the goal itself.”
Set your goal.
Break it down.
And this year, you’ll win.