From eating right to resting more, keep our tips in mind to develop better habits – you won’t need to set a resolution again!
By: Lauren Eveler Glover, RDN, LD
How many people have a New Year’s resolution to lose weight, eat healthier, and exercise more? A lot. How many people will actually stick to it past January 31st? Not many. The truth is habits are hard to break. If you think about it, however, this is actually a good thing! While it may be hard to break your unhealthy habits at first, once you form those new healthy habits, then those will become hard to break. So, you’re more likely to stick to it. Keep these tips in mind to develop better habits, and you won’t need to set a resolution again. Here’s to a healthy and happy 2022!
N – Never trust fad diets. They don’t work. While they may deliver short-term results, they usually don’t last forever. Why? Fad diets are simply unrealistic. They make you exclude entire food groups, include unnecessary supplements, or even worse, starve. If you can’t eat that way for the rest of your life, don’t trust it.
E – Exercise a little every day. How often do you exercise right now? If your answer is “never,” then you have a great area for opportunity! Even if it’s just a 10 minute walk every evening, or choosing to take the stairs instead of the elevator, every little bit helps.
W – Watch out for phonies. There is so much nutrition information out there it’s hard to determine what’s fact and what’s fiction. Who can you trust? Have no fear, Registered Dietitians are here! When it comes to a healthy diet, kidneys can be complicated. It’s best to meet with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) to discuss which options are best for you.
Y – You don’t need to focus on weight. Weight is just a number on a scale that’s affected by many factors. Rather, measure your waistline. Anything greater than 40 inches for men, and 35 inches for women increases your risk for disease.
E – Eat more often. Instead of eating two or three large meals a day, try eating four or five smaller meals spaced evenly throughout the day. This will help keep your appetite under control since you’re eating more frequently.
A – Avoid junk food. Your body doesn’t need it. Eating too much processed food is proven to have negative consequences on our health. They are high in calories and low in nutrients, which is an awful combination.
R – Rest. Plain and simple, your body needs sleep to recoup and reset for the next day. Aim for 7 to 9 hours per night. Adequate rest, along with a healthy diet and exercise, are the secrets to good health.
Remember, make it a habit and you’ll stick to it!
