Resolve to stay on the road to health
January 1, 2014
 
By Julie Smith 

With the New Year comes Resolutions. 40% of Americans make a New Year’s Resolution while only eight percent actually reach their goal. The number one Resolution in 2013 was to lose weight.

That was my Resolution eight years ago.

I stepped into the gym clinically obese with health problems but determined. I reached my goal. It didn’t happen overnight and I’ve kept most of my weight off (most people gain it back).

I’m not telling you this to brag but to give you tips on how to make that Resolution a reality and to help you to understand that it’s a process.

Health and fitness are a journey. Once those 50 pounds are shed or you finish your first marathon, the road doesn’t come to an end.

It takes commitment, determination, and tenacity to gain health and keep it – especially in today’s sedentary, quick fix society. Family time includes watching a movie instead of going for a walk, kids play video games instead of playing outside, and we work in front of computers all day instead of laboring in the soil.

Our bodies have become accustomed to leading a sedentary life unlike our forefathers whose days demanded physical labor and activity.

Most of us don’t know how to cook unless it comes from a box or a can and then we nuke it in the microwave. Or, we stop at the deli on our way home instead of cooking. Our society and most lifestyle’s today don’t promote health and fitness so we have to be proactive in our decision to be healthy….it doesn’t happen without effort.

In order to be one of the eight percent, set a goal that is attainable and realistic with short term, medium, and long term goals. Make a plan! If you fail to plan you plan to fail.

Your Resolution doesn’t have to be to lose weight. Start with something smaller so that your changes will last. Below are some suggestions you can start with today!

  • Ditch the soda and drink water instead (hmmm…wanna lose weight?)

  • Eat Breakfast every morning – NO EXCEPTIONS!

  • Eat five servings of vegetables and fruit a day (V8 doesn’t count)

  • Commit one week to not eating anything processed. You will feel better. One week will turn into two weeks … you get the picture?

  • Stop using vegetable oils like corn, soybean and canola. Opt for coconut oil, olive oil, or butter

  • Stay hydrated. Chronic dehydration is the underlying cause of many health problems including obesity, cancer, and diabetes (to name a few)

  • Exercise 60 minutes per day (you don’t need a gym membership to do this and the 60 minutes can be broken up throughout the day …shovel snow, vacuum, jog in place, play with your kids – just move!)

  • Start reading labels … if you can’t pronounce the ingredients you probably shouldn’t eat it.

  • Ask for help. Hire a nutritionist who looks at your biological identity to that you begin to understand your body so that you can work your body.

  • Or, hire a personal trainer to help you get into the habit of exercising

These are just a few suggestions. Don’t be one of the 92% who fails … if you remember health is a journey not a destination you will succeed.

How many lifestyle improvements will you make on your road to health?

Feel free to email me your goals and how you will attain them. I would love to hear from you!

Julie Smith is a Nutritionist with a BS in Nutrition Science and an ACE-Certified Personal Trainer. She can be reached at (208) 255-9956.