January is the time of resolutions—so many people resolve to lose 40 lbs, or exercise an hour every day…..Athletic clubs and gyms are extra crowded at the beginning of the year; diet programs have lots of new clients. Sadly, most of these resolutions are given up by February or March. What is a resolution that is reasonable?
Think small! Small, very attainable resolutions can become lasting habits and result to long term major changes in your health. Here are some examples:
I am going to eat something for breakfast each morning
This is a good one for those who tend to skip breakfast—even just eating a piece of fruit, drinking a glass of milk or a small cup of yogurt is better than no breakfast. Once you are in the habit of eating something each morning, you can add a new resolution to have two foods with breakfast, some protein and some carbohydrate—maybe a slice of cheese with your apple, or some whole grain cereal with your yogurt. It may take a while, but eventually you will be eating a complete breakfast.
I am going to ride my exercise bike, or walk for ONE minute each morning, or walk up and down the stairs at work for ONE minute on my lunch hour every day.
This is a good one for those who are not currently getting any physical activity at all. Just starting the habit of moving regularly each day can eventually lead to regular exercise for ½ hour or more each day. Check out youtube “Instant Recess” on the internet for very short exercise videos that you could do at home or at work.
I am going to add a vegetable to my lunch each day—that could be putting a carrot in your brown bag lunch, ordering a salad or vegetable soup with your typical restaurant lunch.
This is especially good if you are having a difficult time fitting vegetables into your daily eating. Yes, you want to eat several servings of vegetables each day, BUT getting in one serving a day is a fantastic start.
I am going to leave my desk and sit down and enjoy my lunch each day, or I am going to turn off the TV and sit and enjoy my dinner each evening.
This is a big step toward mindful eating, which can help us to better understand when we are hungry and when we are full, eventually helping us to curb overeating.
Check out this Seattle Times article to get more ideas on how to improve our eating habits. http://seattletimes.com/html/health/2025298561_healthyeatersxml.html
These are all small, simple resolutions that can help lead you to a healthier life style and give you a feeling of accomplishment. Grandiose resolutions, like losing 40 lbs, or exercising for an hour a day tend to be abandoned within weeks of New Year’s day, leaving you feeling lousy about yourself. “Aim Low” and be successful. Those very small resolutions add up over time!
Happy Eating!
Central Oregon Nutrition Consultants
These are all small, simple resolutions that can help lead you to a healthier life style and give you a feeling of accomplishment. Grandiose resolutions, like losing 40 lbs, or exercising for an hour a day tend to be abandoned within weeks of New Year’s day, leaving you feeling lousy about yourself. “Aim Low” and be successful. Those very small resolutions add up over time!
Happy Eating!
Central Oregon Nutrition Consultants
