It’s that time of year again, the time for New Year’s resolutions! Fitness and health goals are set and January is spent trying to achieve these goals. As months go by and the excitement fades, the gym is suddenly less crowded and resolutions disappear.
This year, don’t let your resolutions fade. Set positive intentions for your health and take time to put your goals into action. Although failure is always possible, your resolutions don’t have to restart yearly. Don’t push your intentions off until 2019. Throughout 2018, you can try and try again until you reach them.
Are you fitting in at least 150 minutes of heart-pumping physical activity per week? Are you maintaining a healthy body weight? Are you eating when you’re not hungry? These are all important health questions to ask yourself this year and they are all realistic goals to set for yourself.
This year, why not make your health a priority? Even losing a few pounds can provide you with cardiovascular benefits. Every little step you make is a step in the right direction and a step towards a healthier lifestyle. Here are a few tips to take with you in the new year:
- Set realistic goals – Assess where you are today and set yourself up for success with short term goals that are actually achievable.
- Understand how much and why you eat – A food diary or tracking app can help you understand your food habits.
- Manage portion sizes – It’s easy to overeat when you are served too much food. Smaller portions can help prevent eating too much.
- Make smart substitutions to reduce sodium, saturated fat and added sugar – You don’t have to give up your favorite flavors, but smart substitutions can also cut your calories.
- Balance what you eat with physical activity – The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity five days a week.
For more information, please visit www.heart.org/healthyforgood.