Five Things NOT To Do for a Healthy New Year

As the New Year gets underway, many of us have resolved to do better in the area of our health. But as we’ve all experienced, making a resolution is much easier than keeping it throughout the year. To help you stay on track, our clinical team suggests the following “don’ts.”

1. Don’t go it alone. Team up with a family member, friend or coworker to accomplish a resolution together. You can be each other’s accountability buddy and serve as a source of encouragement to keep working toward your goals.

2. Don’t keep it to yourself. Put it out there! Tell people what you hope to achieve. Maybe even post about your resolution on social media. With others aware of your goal, you’ll be more likely to stay with it.

3. Don’t get overwhelmed. Rather than putting pressure on yourself with a big goal, start with a smaller, more realistic one and add to it. For example, if you want to lose 30 lbs. this year, start by challenging yourself to lose 5 lbs. Then once you’ve lost 5, try for another 5. The motivation and confidence you gain from accomplishing a smaller goal will prepare you to achieve a larger one.

4. Don’t make it a chore. Find an activity (or a few) that you enjoy! We can’t all be fans of the treadmill. Try several different activities to discover ones you have fun doing. Perhaps try a cycle class, dance or racquetball. When you’re doing something you actually like, it will be less of a chore, and you’ll be more likely to keep going.

5. Don’t leave technology behind. Did you get a new fitness gadget over the holidays? If so, start using it! There are many tools and apps available to help you increase your fitness level and achieve your goals. Whether you want to start running or cut calories, there’s something out there designed to support your efforts. Use technology to your advantage.

The information provided within this site is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for consultation with your physician or healthcare provider.