The New Year is easily one of the most anticipated holidays. It comes after a series of consecutive parties and merry-making which usually prompts people to reevaluate their lifestyles. It’s the perfect time to set goals for the next 12 months. These goals usually include a couple or more health- or fitness-related resolutions, such as wanting to exercise more, losing weight, and eating healthier.
People who make these resolutions often start with good intentions. And while the motivation is there, habits are truly hard to break, which makes it difficult for most people to stick to these resolutions. But there’s a way around this. To make the road towards self-improvement much easier, it’s ideal to stick to sustainable health goals. Here are some easy resolutions you can try to make a big impact on your day-to-day life.
Move Around More
Studies show that living a sedentary life can be a risk factor for chronic diseases, such as hypertension. It’s becoming increasingly dangerous because sitting the entire day has become the norm for this generation. While you don’t need to transform yourself into an Olympian overnight, increasing your physical activity does wonders to counter the negative effects of being sedentary.
Try some sneaky ways to insert more movement into your day. You can choose to park your car farther than usual so you can force yourself to walk a few blocks. You can also set an alarm every 45 minutes while you’re at work just to remind yourself to stand up and stretch a little, refill your water bottle and maybe mingle a little bit with your co-workers. Make it a habit to take short walks during your lunch break if the weather permits.
Book All Your Doctor’s Appointments for the Year
Each year, we keep on telling ourselves to make our health a priority. But the steps we need to take to make that happen are often forgotten or ignored. Sometimes all that we have is the intention, but none of the action. If you want to stay healthy, regular checkups are necessary. Doctor’s visits can be costly, but at the end of the day, it’s all worth it. We spend tons of money maintaining our cars, making sure they are always conditioned for the road. Why can’t we do the same for our bodies?
Aside from that, it’s also quite difficult to find the time to go to a doctor because of our busy schedules. And unless we feel really ill, a checkup is rarely our priority. To avoid that from happening, it’s best to schedule these visits ahead of time. That way, you can work your schedule around it. Book your appointment and give the doctor’s secretary your number so he or she can remind you when it draws nearer.
Limit Sugar Intake
This one is so much easier said than done. But you can try and trick your tastebuds by satisfying your sweet cravings with a healthier alternative. There are several options you can try, such as coconut sugar or honey. They are healthier because they provide trace minerals and possess antibacterial properties. However, if you want to cut back on calories too, you can opt for Stevia or Monk Fruit.
If you’re shopping for these sweeteners, make sure that you are getting the best quality. Try Purisure’s Stevia Powder or Monk Fruit Extract. Both are a hundred times sweeter than regular sugar but are virtually calorie free and won’t cause a spike in your blood sugar.
Cook A Meal at Home at Least Once a Week
Preparing your own meals has its own advantages. You get to decide how much salt, sugar, and oil goes into your food. You also get to pick the quality of ingredients to use for whatever you’re making. It’s perhaps the best way to improve the quality of your diet. It gives you more control over what you consume. If you find it hard to do so, start by cooking at least one meal per week at home. Increase the frequency once you get the hang of it.
Learn a New Exercise Move Each Week
It doesn’t have to be something complicated. It can be something as simple as a different way to do your regular lunge. The point is to inject more variety into your workouts in order to work different muscle groups. And with the abundance of free workout videos and articles today, this won’t be a challenge. Watch more workout videos instead of just mindlessly browsing your phone. Watching other people work out will motivate you to do so as well.
The Takeaway
The point is to start small and work your way upwards. Bad habits are hard to break, but good habits are easy to develop. Instead of focusing on the negative just put more energy on what simple things you can do to make your life better.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/realistic-new-years-resolutions
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/21-reasons-to-eat-real-food