Health Calls: Local News
Are you keeping your New Year's Resolution?
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Story Updated: Feb 2, 2010
How To Get Back on Track for Healthy Eating in 2010
It’s been 1 month since you started your New Year’s Resolution. Have you succeeded? If not, here are some tips for getting back on track.
*Embrace your nutrition goal as a lifestyle change, not a short-term diet. Strict, often unhealthy diet plans typically restrict one food group or drastically reduce calories. These are hard to stick to for a prolonged period of time, and often any initial weight loss is quickly regained because it is not fat that was initially lost, rather water weight. Remember, all foods fit into a healthy nutrition plan, therefore, focus on making healthy lifestyle changes such as trying new foods daily or adding in colorful fruits and vegetables to each meal. By making simple, small changes daily, you will see big long term results.
*Goal Setting- Be Specific! If your initial resolution has failed, ask yourself these questions: Was my goal realistic and achievable? Was it too restrictive or limiting? What time frame did I consider in achieving this goal? When creating your nutrition goal, make sure it is realistic, measureable, and timely.
*STRATEGIZE! Identify your challenges and temptations and plan ways you can handle them.
*Keep a Journal. Write down your goals, feelings, obstacles, and successes in a journal. Take a little time each day to invest in yourself and re-evaluate your progress towards your goal.
*Let others know what your goal is and recruit their support (make sure to instruct them on HOW to support you).
-This includes recruiting professional support such as a Registered Dietitian and/or a friend or family member who can help you move toward your goal.
*If your goal is a weight loss goal, break it down into small, achievable goals. For example, if you want to lose 100 lbs total, set a short term goal such as 10% weight loss in 6 months and then create a new short term goal once you achieve that first milestone. Aim for a weight loss of 1-2 lbs per week.
*Make a list of things you are looking forward to doing or trying once you achieve this goal. Hang it up in a visual place such as on your refrigerator or at your desk. A visual reminder of your goal and the motivation behind it will help you remain focused.
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