How to Make Your New Year’s Resolution Stick!

The beginning of January is an exhilarating time! A new year to lose weight. A new year to eat healthier. A new year to be a new you. These New Year’s resolutions invoke feelings of excitement and motivation but as soon as people start to settle back into their normal routine, these feelings start to fade.

It’s easy to fall back into old unhealthy habits so having a defined and attainable goal, with a plan in place to achieve this goal, is the key. For many, a common New Year’s resolution is to lose weight. From there, decide how much weight you want to lose in what period of time. Losing 1-2 pounds a week is a good goal. Once your goal is set, planning how to achieve the goal is the next step.

Losing weight in a healthy manner is characterized by two aspects: consumption of more nutrient-rich foods and an increase in physical activity.

That being said, careful thought needs to be put into how an individual will carry out each of these aspects. Planning out weekly meals, shopping with a well thought-out grocery list, and setting aside time each day to workout are great starts to achieving your goal. By planning out a routine that you can hold yourself to, the temptation to revert back to your old habits is much harder to do.

Incorporate these tips into your new routine:

·       Make sure half of your plate is fruits and vegetables, color is key!

·       Make at least half your grains whole grains

·       Replace sugary beverages with water

·       Reach for a fruit or vegetable when snacking

·       Use moderation when consuming sweets

·       Eat smaller portions

·       Be mindful of what you’re eating

For more information about healthy weight loss, visit http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=6847

Written by Annie Cameron, undergraduate Nutrition major at Saint Louis University

Approved by Connie Diekman, M.Ed., RD, CSSD, FADA

Nutrition Communications Consultant