Healthy Habits for the New Year: 3 Easy Steps

Welcome to 2020!

It’s a fresh start, and a great time to plan your goals for the year. For many people, eating healthier, exercising more, and losing weight is top of the list.

The more specific you can be about your goals, the easier it is to be successful. Make yourself a plan, write it down, and go at a pace that is realistic for you.

Here are three easy steps:

1. Set your goals.

Setting your goals clarifies what you want to achieve. Writing down your goals helps you succeed. Take a moment to write down your health goals. What would you like to see for yourself in the coming year?

2. Create action items.

Write down specific daily habits that will help you to achieve and maintain your goal. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Goal: Eat healthier.

Daily Action Items:

• Eat oatmeal with blueberries and walnuts for breakfast.
• Fill ½ the plate with vegetables at lunch and dinner.
• Choose fresh fruit in place of dessert.
• Use smaller bowls, plates, or cups to reduce portions.
• Cut out the juice, soda, or fast food.
• Reduce the serving size of meat to 3-4 oz, or about the size of a deck of cards.
• Drink 64 oz of water each day.

Goal: Get more active.

Daily Action Items:

Be active for 30 minutes per day* – this can be broken up into 10-minute segments.

• Go for a daily walk.
• Use resistance bands or weights to build muscle.
• Pedal a stationary bike or walk on a treadmill.
• Sign up at a local gym and look into the classes that they offer.
• March in place while watching TV.
• Park your car further from the places you need to go.
• Walk the perimeter or every aisle of the store when shopping.

3. Keep it simple.

Set a goal, write it down, and choose one or two action items to get started. Practice them daily. Once the action items become a habit, layer in another from the list. This will help to give you a clear path to turning your health goals into reality in the new year.

Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Make it a healthy life.

Take a deep breath. You’ve got this!

*Note: Be sure that you are cleared for exercise by your doctor. Have the proper footwear and clothing, and always start slowly and build your strength and endurance over time.