Hi everyone,
It is currently Dec. 29, three days before New Years. If you’re like many people, you’re probably thinking about resolutions. And, given that you’re on this forum, I suspect many of you may have “weight loss” as a resolution for the upcoming year.
Does the following sound typical for you: “I’m going to work out four hours a day every day, and eat only brussel sprouts and water.” Perhaps that’s a bit extreme, but my point is that many people decide to adopt changes that are unsustainable. In the end, it’s easier to drop them than to keep going, because they’re too big and too hard.
Instead, let me offer you a list of many small, easy changes you can do with your life that will show results if you keep at them.
Food Mini-Resolutions:
1. Drink 1 less soda per day, and replace it with water
2. Drink 1 less fruit juice per day, and replace it with water
3. Drink 1 more glass of water per day
4. Eat one less fatty dessert per day, and replace it with fresh fruit
5. Eat at least one salad every day
6. Drink one less “fancy” coffee drink per day, and replace it with regular coffee or tea
7. Write down everything that passes your lips for one day—the discoveries might surprise you!
8. Eat whole grains instead of processed white grains (rice, bread, pasta, etc.)
9. Drink low-fat milk instead of high-fat milk
10. Look through your fridge and pantry, and throw out anything with trans fats
11. Drink one less alcoholic beverage per night out
12. Buy lean cuts of meat (including lean ground meats) instead of marbled or fatty ones
13. Eat broth-based soups instead of cream-based ones
14. On one grocery trip per month, read the labels and make sure you want the food in your body
15. Eat two less frozen meals or restaurant meals per week, and replace them with something nutrittional and home-made
Exercise Mini-Resolutions:
1. Get off the bus one or two stops earlier and walk the rest of the way.
2. Walk around the block after dinner.
3. Do ten push-ups every morning (or as many as you comfortably can right now, and work up to ten)
4. Do ten sit-ups every morning (or as many as you comfortably can)
5. Make one appointment per week to go to the gym—and keep it
6. Find a sport you love and play one a week
7. Park at the far end of the parking lot and walk to the store
8. Get up to change the channel on the TV instead of using the remote
9. For every hour you spend sitting down, take 5 minutes to move around
10. Walk to the corner store instead of driving
11. Take ten minute a day to dance to your favourite music
12. Wash dishes by hand instead of using the dishwasher
13. Walk on the golf course instead of taking one of the carts
14. Use the stairs instead of the escalator (or elevator for less than 3 floors)
15. Once a week, do something fun and active with your kids
Why don’t you resolve to adopt two or three of these every month this year?
Wishing you all the best in the new year,
Julie
My favorite one is this:
