5 New Year’s Resolutions You Should Make & How to Keep Them
It will soon be the start of a New Year and time to get those New Year’s Resolutions formulated. Some say they are a waste of time, but why not create a new you? Why not make healthy changes? Why not set some new goals for yourself? Why not make 2015 the year you get to the gym, start eating kale and get seven hours of sleep. You deserve to be the best you that you can be. Let the planning begin.
The first step to making healthy changes is to make a commitment to healthy changes! Setting new goals is fantastic. We are never too old to improve or to learn something new. A new year is a fresh start to make some great improvements. Visualize and be mindful of the change you want to make and take small steps to achieve and create new habits.
So go ahead – here are five New Year’s Resolutions everyone should make and some helpful ideas to keep you on track. Here’s to a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Exercise More
Get this one to the top of your list. You’ve heard the expression ‘move it or lose it’? Well its true. Remember doing cartwheels as a kid? Easy-Peasy. Have you tried to do one in the last 20 years? Don’t. Your body forgot how to do a cartwheel a long time ago! If you don’t keep moving and keep lifting and keep getting some aerobic activity into your week, you will soon not be able to climb a flight of stairs without heavy breathing.
HOW TO:
Add in simple at home activities 2-3 times a week
Go for a walk
Do a yoga DVD
Climb the stairs at the office or even at home
Do 10 push ups, 20 squats and 45 second plank every day
When you have the hang of at home workouts, add in classes at your local gym or yoga studio or join a learn to run group.
Eat More Vegetables
Be mindful of meal time preparations and start with a healthy shopping cart by filling it with loads of vegetables. Then add them to everything!
HOW TO:
Vegetables in every meal
Add extra broccoli, carrots, corn, peppers to soups and stews
Have a side of sweet potato fries with a veggie burger
Puree squash, cauliflower and spinach and add to mac & cheese or even brownies
Bake zucchini muffins or cookies for school lunches
Play More
Get on your snow pants and get outside to play with the kids, fill your weekends with lots of outdoor play and indoor family fun at recreation centres.
HOW TO:
Make play part of your week
Try Geocaching
Hiking
Frisbee or Catch
Tobogganing
Indoor rock climbing
Eat Breakfast
Simple concept, but many mornings are so busy breakfast is no more than a cup of coffee; it’s no wonder you are lethargic by 11am. Make eating breakfast your most important new habit. Have easy and quick breakfast items on hand so breakfast on the go is healthy and convenient.
HOW TO:
Make a list of easy breakfast ideas
These Oatmeal packs require boiling water and ready in 3 minutes
Hard boiled egg and an apple is a protein and fibre rich breakfast
Yogurt, berries and granola in grab and go containers fill you up
Glass of fortified orange juice with a handful of almonds
Get More Sleep
Easier said than done for many, but research shows getting a good nights rest is important to our health. If you are too busy to go to bed earlier, it will catch up with you and you’ll be nursing a cold and busier than ever. Have trouble falling asleep? Try some non medicinal remedies to make sleeping easier or end your day with a relaxing yoga practice.
HOW TO:
Try relaxing with a chamomile tea before bed
Eating fruits rich in melatonin such as cherries can aid in restful sleep
Sunflower seeds contain tryptophan – an amino acid that aids in sleep
The best part about these New Years Resolutions is that you can start on them right now! Get to work making small changes and improving your health and wellness before ringing in the New Year. Give yourself the gift of a health! All the best in 2015!
Deb Lowther is a mother of 3 young daughters who, when not running after the kids, is running in the trails. She contributes Family Health articles to many websites and magazines and ensures her own family has fun while eating healthy & staying active. Find more inspiring tips on her website http://www.raisinghealthkids.co and follow her on both Twitter @Deb_Lowther and Pinterest.
