Healthy New Year’s Resolutions

It’s another new year and for many people that means another opportunity for a fresh start.?The most popular resolutions reflect new health goals, such as losing weight, following a healthier diet, and starting an exercise routine.

Unfortunately, many times, the health and wellness resolutions chosen are highly restrictive and unsustainable, leading most people to break their resolutions within a few weeks. Therefore many people make the same resolutions year after year.

To break that cycle, it’s important to make resolutions that can not only improve health but also be followed for life.?

Here are my suggestions for New Year’s resolutions you can actually keep by incorporating them into a sustainable lifestyle.

1.???GET ENOUGH SLEEP

Make sure you're getting enough sleep.?Many people underestimate the power of sleep.?Proper sleep improves mental clarity and gives you the energy to be more productive.?Lack of sleep can also hinder your ability to achieve weight loss. So for those of you looking to lose a little weight in the new year, make sure your sleep schedule is on point. ?Work towards establishing a consistent bedtime routine at the same time each day.

2. MANAGE YOUR STRESS

Stress wreaks havoc on our bodies. It weakens our immune system and contributes to a variety of health ailments. High stress levels also hinder weight loss. So if you really want to help your body in more ways than just weight loss, figure out how to better manage your stress. Implement tools and strategies to reduce your stress. I’ve talked before about Yoga as a great stress reliever, and also soothing music.?Make sure you have a conducive environment to relax, turn off the blue lights, listen to meditation or prayer before going to bed. Figure out what works best for you. Evaluate activities or habits you need to give up that are causing you stress. Maybe there are some people you need to pull away from that are causing you stress. Sometimes getting outside in nature or going for a walk can serve as an immediate stress reliever. ?

3. STAY HYDRATED

It sounds so simple but in our busy everyday lives we often forget to drink enough water. My strategy to combat this problem is to use a container or flask that I love to drink from.?I have a hydro-flask with stickers of some of my favorite memories and places. I fill it several times and use enhancements like cut lemons.

I also have a soda streamer. I don't make sugary syrup water, but I do make seltzer water. So I enjoy that and that's a great way for me to get more water and I do a lot of herbal teas as well. So just make sure that you're getting enough hydration which will keep your body regulated and also aid in weight loss.

4. MOVE YOUR BODY EVERY DAY

Exercise. What can you do a little bit differently? Maybe you just need to get active, get off the couch get more active. Maybe you need to change up your workouts. Maybe you've been doing the same thing for a long, long time and it's time to change things up and kind of shock your metabolism a little bit. I'm diligent with my workouts every day, at least six days a week I'm doing something to move my body. But sometimes I need to evaluate what I’m doing and change things up. Diversity can keep things fun and exercise different parts of your body. I like to do weight training three days a week, and I usually run at least three days a week. I also try to work in yoga class a couple times per week but would like to do more. In 2022 I am making a commitment to do more yoga. What can you do to make sure you're active and moving your body every day?

5. NOURISH AND FUEL YOUR BODY

Adopt the mindset of “food is fuel”.?Give your body what it needs.?This is easier said than done due to the emotions and habits that overlay eating. But you must be attentive to what you’re putting in your mouth if you want to lose weight.?A helpful exercise is to journal what you're eating.?You may be surprised at what you're consuming daily. A little snack here, a little bite there as you're preparing food, it all adds up. So journaling is something that I have my clients do to really keep track of what they're eating. I just returned from a conference where a nutritional scientist presented the findings of his independent study measuring the “heart healthy diet” and an “Isagenix based nutrition program supplemented with healthy meals”. ?The subjects on the “heart healthy diet” were consuming less calories but still did not lose as much weight. So sometimes making sure you're eating more of the right foods, even with more calories, can help you lose weight.

If you need help in any of these areas, please reach out. I do free 15-minute consultations. ?Just go to my profile page and click on “Free 15-minute consultation” and I’ll be happy to discuss any of these topics with you. ?Sometimes just a little tweaking of your nutrition and making things a little simpler can be all you need to make a massive difference in your weight and your health. ?I wish you wellness in 2022 and hope my suggestions can help serve you.