New Year, New Day, New Chance

Each New Year, we make resolutions. We pledge to reinvent or transform ourselves into a better, faster, stronger, less cursing, more praising, highly philanthropic, in-the-moment person. While our intentions may be good, our goals are often too lofty and our willpower is too low. Without a good plan, many of us will fail or abandon our resolutions. In fact, only about 50% of people keep their New Year’s resolutions for three months, and even less keep them for six months.

Some of the top resolutions each year include losing weight, getting in shape, and eating healthier. These are awesome long-term goals. However, we must first make a plan and achieve short-term goals so that we can realize our long-term resolutions. So many times we don’t stick to our resolutions, especially when it comes to weight loss or health because we put unrealistic limitations and expectations on ourselves. Don’t resolve to go on a diet or try a fitness gimmick, resolve to change your life and be healthy. Here are my tips to help you fulfill your resolution for a healthy year.

• Be Realistic: If you haven’t run farther than across a parking lot in the past year, chances are you won’t be running a half-marathon this spring. If you can’t remember the last time you set foot in a gym, chances are you aren’t going to become a gym rat anytime soon. Make weekly goals that you can accomplish – take a 20-minute walk around the block after dinner, add one vegetable to each meal, get up 10 minutes earlier to do planks, lunges, and pushups in your bedroom or living room. Once you’ve met that goal, set another for the next week.

• Make a schedule: We put meetings, practices, lunches, etc in our calendar. Make yourself a priority and write (or type) your workouts, grocery trips, and food prep days into your calendar. You wouldn’t cancel a meeting with your boss or miss your kid’s game, so don’t be a no-show to yourself!
• Stay Positive: Chances are you will have a bad day and you’ll make a bad choice. But, don’t let it get you down. Remember your long-term goals and realize that one little hiccup doesn’t mean you should throw in the towel. Tomorrow (or the next meal) is a new chance to make a better decision. No matter what, you can always get back on track. Each day is a new chance for a fresh start.
• Ask for Help: We are more likely to stick to our resolutions when we have a partner to hold us accountable. So pick someone you trust and ask them to motivate you and help you stay on track. Choose someone that will hold you responsible, but will not criticize or make you feel worse.
• Celebrate Your Success: When you’ve accomplished a short-term goal, it’s important to reward yourself. But be careful that the reward doesn’t undo what you’ve accomplished. Rather than celebrating with food, do something that makes you feel good and boosts confidence. Get a mani/pedi or massage, buy new running shoes or workout gear, take a new class, or get a new kitchen gadget (a new blender for smoothies or indoor grill pan for fish and veggies).

With these tips I know you will be successful in the coming year. This can be your healthiest year yet. Each new day is a new opportunity – a fresh start and chance to get healthy. Make today the day you decide to live better, look better, and feel better. Your New Year and new chance starts with my scrumptious Un-fried Ice Cream recipe. You can find this, plus recipes for Fiesta Fish Tacos, Black Bean & Corn Salsa, and Stawberritas in my book Don’t Diet, Live It! And get more tips and inspiration on my website!