Healthy New Year!

How many times have you heard the term “New Year’s Resolution” so far? This is the quintessential time of year when people jump on the “got to get healthy” band wagon. People make all kinds of unrealistic declarations like “I’m going to work out every day!” Or, “I’m never eating dessert again!” Not surprisingly, those pledges, while made with the best of intentions, rarely stand the test of time.

Here’s my advice for long term success: Keep it simple! Start with one manageable, reasonable change. Even small changes made in your daily life can have a huge impact on your long term health.

Here are some small changes to consider:

Purchase an Activity Tracker: There are many different activity trackers on the market from simple to more complex with a variety of bells and whistles. Here are some reviews for reference. The most economical activity tracker, the pedometer, is a really effective fitness tool. Awareness of how much (or how little) you move each day is often a very good motivator to help you start moving more. Once you have worn it for a few days and determined your usual number of steps, set a goal to beat that number. You’d be surprised at the drive you will have to take one more walk around the block (or the house, or the kitchen...) when you are a mere 500 steps from your daily goal!

Reduce your consumption of processed food and eat “real” food: I encourage you to visit one of my favorite blogs: 100 Days of Real Food. Why is it a good idea to reduce your intake of processed food? Lisa Leake summarizes it so well here, I won’t even try to come up with a better explanation.

Eat more vegetables: “Eat your veggies!” is a statement mothers everywhere have been proclaiming for years for good reason. Vegetables are just, without a doubt, the best foods for you!

I’m not suggesting you adopt all of these changes today. That would go against the philosophy of keeping it simple. Pick one or two changes (from this list or others that are more relevant to you) that you believe you can adopt without too much stress or burden. It’s highly likely that once you begin feeling some of the benefits of these changes, you will be inclined to try out one or two more.

“Big, sweeping life changes really boil down to small, everyday decisions.” ~ Ali Vincent