Healthy New Year’s Resolutions You Can Actually Keep

Written By Alex Gawel

A new year often signifies a fresh start for many people. It provides an opportunity to reflect on the past year, hit the reset button, and set intentions for personal improvement – either to enhance or to make changes. 

 

Break the Cycle!

Prioritizing short-term changes over long-term health benefits can cause a repeated effort to do the same, year after year, without getting the right results.

This year, make a resolution to break the dieting cycle and create a sustainable, nourishing eating pattern that works for you.

·         Whole, nutrient-dense foods

·         Low in heavily processed, sugary products.

·         Nutritious and adaptable – meaning it can be maintained on vacation, during the holidays, and at parties

 

Time to re-think Dieting

Create a healthier relationship with food. When you take better care of your body and mind, you can drastically improve your health in various ways.

 

Set realistic goals

Habits don’t happen overnight! Making overly ambitious goals can lead to failure.

Pick one idea to implement for 60 days. When you see success, add another.

Keep in mind there’s nothing wrong with sticking to the first idea! Change happens in stages, so allow yourself the time to adjust so that the new habit becomes natural.

 

YOUR IDEA LIST

-          Cut back on sweetened beverages: Start with half the number each day, and gradually decrease it and increase your water intake.

o   Cutting back on sweetened beverages is a smart idea, considering that sugary drinks are linked to many health conditions. Research shows the negative impact sugar has on families, including children and adolescents. (1)

 

-          Cut back on alcohol: Limit intake to keep yourself on track.

o   If you think cutting back on alcohol may be helpful for you, set a reasonable goal, such as limiting drinking to weekend nights only or setting a drink limit for the week.

o   Try replacing it with a non-alcoholic beverage such as fruit-infused sparkling water or kombucha.

 

-          Eat more whole foods: Add one serving of your favorite veggies to your eating plan every day.

o   One of the easiest and most sustainable ways to improve overall health is to eat more whole foods, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and fish, all containing nutrients that your body needs to function at an optimal level.

-          Cook more meals at home – Start by making one meal/snack a day, then increase.

o   Research shows that people who cook more meals at home have better diet quality and less body fat than people who eat more meals on the go. (2)

-          Go grocery shopping regularly – Pick one day/week.

o   Keep a well-stocked pantry and fridge so you’re always ready to prepare healthy, home-cooked meals.

 

This New Year, try one of the resolutions to help make this year — and the years that follow — the healthiest and happiest possible.

 

Written by Martha Hagmaier:

Currently serving with BaySport as the Wellness Program Manager for the Local IBEW Sound and Communications, 617, and 595 since September 2021.

Prior to this role, I created and had global oversight of the WellbEAing initiative at Electronic Arts (EA) for over 6 years. 

I have a BS in Human Services, with multiple certifications, including Corporate Wellness, Mental Health First Aid, Behavioral Coaching, and Personal Training.  My diverse career includes the biotech and video gaming industries with roles in Sales, Health and Safety, Workplaces, and Human Resources, to name a few.  

I’m committed to creating healthy, engaging (read: FUN!) experiences using a holistic approach because I believe being our best selves IS possible, increasing our sense of self, and getting the most out of life!  


Alex Gawel
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