Now that January’s here, a lot of us are probably starting on our New Year’s resolutions to get healthy and in shape but the truth is, most of us will likely fail for a variety of reasons. “Change is hard,” Dr. June Kloubec, a professor in the department of nutrition and exercise science at Bastyr University, tells “Self.” “We are creatures of habit.”
One big reason why people aren’t successful with resolutions is that they set lofty goals that can be impossible to achieve. But if folks make smaller, more attainable resolutions, they will likely be more successful in getting healthy for the 2017.
Some of the small changes folks should think about making include:
- Eat mindfully – All too often we shove food into our mouths without really thinking about what we are eating. The idea of mindful eating is to take time to savor your food, and to concentrate solely on your eating, which will allow your body to let you know when it’s full and what it really wants.
- Go to sleep and wake up at the same time – We all know it’s important to get enough sleep, but it’s equally important to get on a consistent sleep/wake schedule.
- Find a workout that’s right for you – Just jumping on a machine each day isn’t necessarily going to be right for you. Take time to think about what you really want to accomplish at the gym, like say burning fat, or building muscle, and find workouts that fit those goals. Plus, make sure you enjoy them, because if you don’t you likely won’t stick to it.
- Cut down on sugar – We all know that eating too much sugar isn’t good for us, yet the average American consumes 77 pounds of sugar or sweetener each year. Try to really figure out how much sugar you’re consuming, and then see where you can cut back on it.
- Drink some more water – Water can be an answer to a lot of things so try keeping a glass at your desk at all time. Often people confuse hunger and thirst so try having some water when you feel hunger coming on, it may be the answer. Also, drink a glass of water before each meal because it may help you cut down on how much you eat.
Source: Self