Well, it’s here; a new year and another fresh start. As the clock counted down the last minutes of 2012, many of us resolved to make positive changes in our lives.
Now, the challenge is seeing those New Year’s resolutions through. One study shows that by the end of January, four out of five people have lost sight of their goals. So, how do we stick it out?
It depends on where we place our focus. Let’s look at the sixth most popular annual resolution: to lose weight. While that’s a common goal, it’s actually a limited perspective of a healthy lifestyle. A broader goal might include exercise and stress-reducing activities along with a more a nutritious diet. It also helps to develop new behaviors and put together a plan for overcoming common barriers to success. This approach will keep us motivated throughout the year.
Small lifestyle changes can have a huge impact; try making one or two every couple of weeks. During that first week, the goal may be very simple—perhaps adding one serving each of fruits and vegetables to our diet each day. Once that first change is on its way to becoming a habit, we can add something else like walking around the block a couple of times before bed. Or, cleaning up leftovers right after dinner, which can discourage late night snacking. In another week or two, we can add something else and so on; tailoring each new habit or behavior to what interests and motivates us the most.
In this way, we’ll have healthier hearts and other organs, lower blood pressure, stronger bones and more when we ring in the year 2014. The lifestyle changes we’ve made will affect our entire life, not just the next swimsuit season. And, the lower number on the scale and slimmer figure in the mirror will be our applause rather than our fickle master.
Medical professionals agree that the benefits of healthy living are innumerable for both men and women. At Brigham City Community Hospital, our physicians can provide additional support, guidance and information for people who want to better their odds for achieving lifelong health.