It’s that time of year again. We have recently popped too many bottles of champagne vowing to put old, bad habits aside in favor of new, healthy, and more productive ones. Now that we are two weeks into the new year, it is time to reevaluate and make adjustments as necessary.
If you made a resolution similar to that of more than half of Americans, to lose weight, get healthy, or exercise more regularly, have you stuck to your commitment? In a 2007 study conducted by the University of Bristol, it was determined that 88 percent of all New Year’s resolutions fail. While the prospect of success is gloomy, it is a known fact that most people struggle to lose the extra pounds or stick to an exercise regimen due to the rigidity of their initial plans. Ban carbs forever? Run fifteen miles a week? Too rigid, too strict, and too harsh. Here are some minor adjustments to help you meet your goals:
Food
1. Try to load your plate with vegetables and lean proteins before you add carbohydrates to your meal.
2. Switch sugary drinks (and diet drinks) for good old fashioned water, or carry a reusable bottle with you to class.
3. For those of you with a relentless sweet tooth, like myself, try to limit yourself to just one treat each day, such as one cookie after lunch or a cup of Greek yogurt with granola in the afternoon.
4. Always grab skim, soy, or almond milk instead of whole or 2%, and lay off the salt (sodium has been proven to wreak havoc on your waistline) as much as possible.
Mantra
Never “reward” yourself with food. Repeat after me: You are a person, not a dog. Food is not a reward to be earned but is fuel for your body. These are healthy eating choices that will be automatic, habitual lifelong decisions. Start small and start now for a lifetime of health and happiness.
Fitness
Struggling to find time to hit the gym each day? Try getting your exercise in your daily routine.
5. Take the stairs and avoid the elevator like the plague.
6. Park your car in the back of the mall parking lot.
7. For all you shoppers, I encourage you to shop all day. Walking the hallways and perusing the racks can burn calories that add up!
8. Jog to Rolfs before your workout instead of hitting your dorm’s gym.
9. Make a new playlist with all your favorite workout songs to rev your motivation to push through your workouts.
10. Find a “dream” dress or pair of pants that you hope to buy before you head off to spring break, and imagine yourself looking flawless, trim, and toned in the desired piece.
Mantra
Most importantly, forgive yourself for the days you eat a little too much of that really good dessert or just can’t find time to squeeze in a workout. So today is the day to put down the bag of chips, to get on your floor and do some crunches, and to make a skinny latte before reminding yourself that tomorrow is a new day and that this is your year.