A Healthier New Year
New Year’s Eve is tomorrow! Are you setting any resolutions for 2011? Many people set resolutions to get healthy and lose weight, according to USA.gov. If one of your New Year’s resolutions is health-oriented, follow these tips to achieve your health goals and live a healthier 2011!
Set your goals and make a plan
As you create your resolutions for the year, develop a plan as to how you will achieve those goals. For example, if your plan is to get fit, steps could include joining a gym or heading to Rockbridge Park three times a week. (We have a couple great parks and trails in Columbia, you can learn about them at http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/ParksandRec/.) When you have a plan as to how you will accomplish your resolutions, they become more manageable.
Be realistic
Know that your resolutions will not happen overnight. When planning, set benchmarks for yourself. For example, you can have specific actions accomplished by the first of each month. Like the ability to run a mile by February 1 and build from there. Realize that a resolution is sometimes a year’s worth of work, so you can’t always expect an instant change.
Keep them visible
Post your resolutions somewhere that you see every day like your bathroom mirror. This will keep you motivated throughout the year and help you work toward your goals daily. Be sure to update the list if you accomplish one of your goals!
Ask for help if you need it
Sometimes you need a little extra help working toward your goals. Ask your family and friends for motivation, and consult a health professional if your resolutions aren’t going as planned or need a little bit of tweaking.
Do your research
There are lots of great resources online to help you achieve your health and fitness goals. Some of our favorites are Health.com, FitnessMagazine.com and WebMD.com. Consulting a doctor, nutritionist, trainer or D&H pharmacist can also help steer you in the right direction.
Reward yourself
If you’ve made a lot of progress, you deserve a pat on the back for your accomplishments! It shouldn’t, however, give you the opportunity to backslide on the work you’ve accomplished so far. Treat yourself to a spa day or a mini-vacation. You’ve earned it!
What are your resolutions for 2011?
Sources:
http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/New_Years_Resolutions.shtml
Related posts:
