Health for the New Year

Many people start the New Year off with a rigorous eating or lifestyle plan only to be back to old habits by the end of January.  How do you sustain change with your eating and lifestyle throughout the year?

The answer to that question is different for each person, but here are a few tips to start off 2010.

1.  Have reasonable expectations – many of us start with harsh plans only to be pulling out our hair by day 3 and then doing nothing.  Ask yourself:  “what do I expect of myself and is that reasonable?”  If not, what is a reasonable expectation for eating, exercise, sleep or other lifestyle changes?

2.  Think of what to ADD to your life rather than what to delete.  This approach is friendlier and allows you to feel in control.  Incorporating more protein at meals helps even out your blood sugars and can keep you from eating everything that crosses your path.  Adding omega-3 –fats helps lower inflammation in the body.  A small serving of a dark green leafy and orange/yellow/red vegetable can do wonders for increasing disease-fighting vitamins and minerals in your body.  AND a square or two of dark chocolate adds important phytochemicals essential for health.

3.  Change ONE thing at a time.  One week focus on one or two things you want to add to your diet.  The next week add 15-20 minutes of walking several times per week.  Change what is most reasonable and doable over a years’ time.  It does not matter what you weigh today – it matters more what you weight a year from today.

Having a lifestyle that works does not happen overnight: it evolves over time.  Keep your expectations for 2010 reasonable and slowly add one thing at a time till you are in the health you desire.  Your body will thank you as 2011 turns the corner.