Make a New Year’s Resolution to Get Healthy… And Keep it!

The holiday season has come and gone, and although none of us needed the delicious winter treats, second helpings at Christmas dinner or that last glass of eggnog, many of us still indulged because, well, IT WAS THE HOLIDAYS, and what screams merry and bright louder than good food and good times with loved ones?? If you’re like many, you may be ringing in the New Year with an optimistic resolution to get back on track with healthy habits. For a healthy kick start, the following 3 tips will help you stay on track to reach your good health goals in the New Year.

1. Set realistic goals. Don’t just make a vague statement like, “I’m going to start getting healthy in January” and expect that it’ll stick for very long. Create an attainable resolution. Set a specific time frame and exact goals. For example, you can say, “In 3 months, I will lose 10 pounds,” or, “for the next three months, I will work out at least 30 minutes a day 2-3 days per week.” Don’t just expect to wake up one morning in 2015 with a strong craving for carrots and an aversion to chocolate cake. Instead, make small changes with your eating habits. Set a goal to replace one beverage a day with water, or to make one daily snack time or meal totally health-conscious.

2 Get an exercise routine together. Go for a morning walk, reserve at least a half an hour daily for the gym or join a fitness class. Of course, our favorite “get fit” activity is water aerobics! In the water, your body feels light and agile. You’ll be able to do things you wouldn’t be able to do so easily on land, and if you’re exercising in the pool, your heart rate will be lower in the water due to the buoyancy and cooling effects of the water. Exercising in the water also allows for a greater range of motion, which will help with flexibility. Because of the water’s natural resistance, you’ll build more muscle tone and a greater endurance. Read our blog on the benefits of water aerobics, and make sure you bring your Nekdoodle® to complement your workout if it includes water activities!

 

3. Acknowledge that getting healthy is your top priority. There is a probably a long list of reasons why you could easily fall off the wagon with making and keeping healthy goals for the New Year. A hectic work or home life schedule may deter you from wanting to take the time to add healthy habits into your daily routine. According to Proactivechange.com, over half of Americans who make New Year’s resolutions lose sight of their goals 6 months after setting them. To avoid losing sight of your goals, keep a list of things you need to do to stay on track. Plan a weekly menu for making your grocery list (if you have good food in your home, you’ll be significantly less likely to bring home Chinese take-out just because it’s easier). If you do HAVE to eat out for lunch or dinner due to time constraints, remember that there are always healthy options on the menu no matter where you go. Try a salad or wrap instead of a burger or fatty fried foods to stay on track. Most importantly, don’t freak out if you eat the wrong food or forget a workout! Remember, you’re not doing this for anybody but you, so cut yourself some slack!! If you fall behind on your goals, put your mistakes behind you and start fresh with a new day!

This year, set goals and meet them, then make more challenging goals and watch how a healthy resolution for the New Year will change your life. Visit our Facebook page and share your health success story in 2015… We know you can do it!