Stick to Your Resolutions in 2019

Jan 14, 2019

By Karley Konkol, Dietetic Intern

The truth is, when we set one giant goal for ourselves, it can be hard to know where to start and easy to lose our momentum. However, if we set smaller goals to reach along the way, we are making progress towards our one giant goal. We all know how satisfying it is to check something off that to-do list. Here are some great stepping stones to help you reach that healthier lifestyle you have been wanting:

Tip One: Set realistic goals. For example, if you have a sweet tooth and enjoy eating candy every day or just really enjoy those foods high in sugar, set a small goal and limit yourself to one sweet treat three times a week. As time progresses, you can set a new goal to have only sweet treat a week.

Tip Two: Set routine meal and snack times. Setting these regular meals and snacks will help you keep your hunger at bay and not have you reaching for those empty calorie foods.

Tip Three: Have healthy on the go snacks. Life often gets in the way and we can’t have those regular scheduled meals, so having healthy on-the-go snacks available will help satisfy that hunger. Instead of reaching for a small bag of chips, try to have low-fat string cheese on hand and ready-to-eat fruits or vegetables.

Tip Four: Be mindful and be present. Often when we eat, we are sitting in front of a screen and often not paying attention to what we are consuming. By putting away the screens when eating you are more apt to listen to your hunger cues, and more likely to not overeat.

Tip Five:  Get active. Getting active does not have to be elaborate, but rather find an activity you enjoy doing. Whether that’s going for a walk/run/bike ride, walking or working out during your lunch break, participating in group fitness classes, or weight lifting; whatever it may be, get out there and be active.

Tip Six: Focus on health not weight. Sometimes we get caught up with the number on the scale, and if we do not see that number drop, we just throw everything out the window and go back to our old habits. By refocusing your attention on better eating habits, it is likely you will feel better overall regardless of the number on the scale.

Tip Seven: Stay positive! Do not get discouraged, progress takes time. Allow yourself to make ‘mistakes’ because nobody is perfect.

It is important to remember change does not happen overnight. These are simple stepping stones to help get you on the right track to a healthier lifestyle.