5 Easy Resolutions You Can Stick To
By Kristen DeAngelis
The holiday months are a “giving” season but we may forget the most important gift of all – the gift of respecting our own health! Between stressful shopping, party planning, and helping others, we lose sight of our personal needs. Make this New Year a time to honor your health, by making specific and realistic goals for sustainable healthy changes.
1.) Achieve and maintain a healthy weight. The average American gains 2-5 pounds over the holidays. Weight gain overtime leads to obesity, an estimated $118 billion dollar concern due to cancer and other disease related costs.
- Try a new vegetable each week.
- Aim for 5 servings a day.
- Easily drink a daily fresh fruit & vegetable juice/smoothie to get all 5 servings.
2.) Eating more fruits and vegetables is a great way to aid in healthy weight loss.
- Try a new vegetable each week.
- Aim for 5 servings a day.
- Easily drink a daily fresh fruit & vegetable juice/smoothie to get all 5 servings.
3.) Practice mindfulness meditation. Studies show the importance of mindfulness can lead to positive change by helping to stick with new healthy behaviors, decrease anxiety and stress levels, and improve quality of life.
- Begin with just 1-5 minutes of guided meditation
- Schedule into your daily routine either at the start/end of your day.
- Practice meditating in a comfortable position in a regular scheduled place.
4.) Regular activity. Studies prove that just 30 minutes of regular daily walking can reduce risk of developing cancer and disease while helping to supplement weight loss goals.
- Start small (30 min. of walking).
- Schedule regularly (30 min. of daily light exercise, or 30 min. of higher intensity exercise 3 times a week).
- Plan with a friend to take regular fitness classes or as a walking/running buddy.
5.) Drink Water to prevent overeating and mistaking hunger cues for thirst.
- Aim for approximately 64 oz. daily.
- Schedule “water breaks” into your daily schedule.
- Always carry a water bottle at your desk or in the car.