2017 is here, and that means it is time for boundless amounts of advice on creating your New Year’s Resolutions. However, we want to take a different approach and share some tips for making generally healthy changes, no matter when you start.
- Give yourself some grace. You can’t change how many Christmas cookies you had over the past month, but you can make better decisions for today and tomorrow. So don’t dwell on the past; look for ways to move forward instead.
- Set reasonable goals. You are not going to become a vegetarian overnight, or run a marathon next week for that matter! If your goal is to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat in a day, start with adding a fruit or vegetable to one meal or just add an apple or carrot sticks as an afternoon snack. Instead of training for that marathon, commit to running three times a week for as long as you can, even if that is a mile. Set an alarm on your phone to go to bed 15-30 minutes earlier today. Set calendar reminders to get up and walk around at the office or grab some water. Make it simple, easy to remember and the habit will develop. Once it has become a habit (which should take about 30 days) move on to the next stage of your goal.
- Get back to the basics. When it comes to being healthier in the new year, there are many basic components to consider. When it comes to diet for example, begin to move from processed food back to real, wholesome food. Instead of buying store-bought salad dressing, find a delicious recipe for vinaigrette (we have a few!) and make it yourself from scratch. And don’t forget the body’s basic need for sleep, exercise and relaxation. Make time in your schedule to get back to the basics!
- Be accountable. This is a strategy for success no matter what you’re doing! One easy way to be held accountable is to make it public. Post something on social media or make a comment on this post and state your goal so people can know about it. You may want to ask a significant other or good friend to step in as an accountability partner and check in with you. But, again, don’t forget to have grace with yourself here too! It won’t be perfect and that is totally okay.
We wish you all the best in 2017. Please continue to follow Finite Foodie for more healthy tips and recipes throughout the year
Happy New Year!
