Blog Post #15: Diet Resolution Week
Happy New Year! I did not know this, but apparently January 1-7 is Diet Resolution Week! Normally, people make New Year resolutions, and health is normally the top resolution. Whether that is focusing on healthy eating, or working out more, health is usually the number one thing people want to change. But because this has become so popular, the first week of the year has been called Diet Resolution Week. Now do not get me wrong, the New Year is the best time to make a change and get a fresh start. My opinion is to make sure you stick with your goals, so you can see the results you want. Here are some tips to help jump start your New Year health resolution journey:
Set clear goals: the best way to get your results is to set clear, attainable goals. The acronym we use is S.M.A.R.T (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time) goals. So instead of saying “I’m going to cut out sugar”, say “I am going to limit my soda intake to one can every day” or “ I will eat one cup of vegetables every day with dinner.” Start with something easy and attainable! That way, it will be easier to keep the habit and make the lasting change.
Stay hydrated: I have talked about this before in blog post #9c. Water is vital to your health and overall well-being. Sometimes, you can mistake hunger for thirst, so make sure you drink enough water! Click here to read that blog post.
Plan your meals: blog post #10 here will give you easy meal ideas. Meal prepping is a great way to get ahead of your food intake for the week. I usually plan about 4 meals for the week, including the weekend. Some of the meals will provide leftovers, but I take the leftovers for lunch the next day (so does my husband). Pinterest is a great place to find easy meal ideas!
Eat more nutritious foods: try to include fruits and vegetables in your diet to pack a more nutritious punch. Fruits and vegetables are also low in calories and fat, so it can be useful in meals or snacks. Read some of the blog posts to get more information on nutritious foods!
Exercise: daily physical activity is not only great for losing weight, but for overall health. The third week of January is actually “Healthy Weight Week,” so make sure to get moving that week with family, friends, or with a group exercise class.
Stay away from the fad diets: another fun fact that I recently learned, the third Tuesday of January is known as “Rid the World of Fad Diets and Gimmick Day.” This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of fad diets, and instead promoting healthy, sustainable habits. This day tried to focus on educating people about healthy ways to eat, instead of falling for the harmful fad diets that make fancy promises, but usually do not get you the results you want. We talk about some of the most popular fad diets in blog post #14. Read more information about fad diets in that post here!
When it is all said and done, physical activity with a healthy diet are two great ways to take action and stay true to your New Year resolution. However, you need to make sure you take small, attainable steps to make a big impact over time. You will not see results immediately, so stick with it and good luck!
Practical Ways Towards “Peachy” Living
1) Set S.M.A.R.T goals for your health journey. Do not do too much all at once!
2) Have an accountability buddy, so someone can hold you accountable, which can help you stick to your goals long-term. This can be your spouse, a friend, or a fellow gym-class buddy.
3) Seek out a dietitian or an outpatient clinic (with a dietitian) in your area if you need more nutrition assistance
4) Sometimes, the gyms in the community have a referral program, which can make your monthly fee cheaper. But you do not need to join a gym as well! Some apartment complexes have their own gyms for residents, you can workout in neighborhood parks, or in your own home. There might even be a social group in your community you can join (like a running club or a dance club).
