Every New Year about 45% of Americans make New Years’ resolutions, but only 8% of people actually keep them. Now is a good time to check in with those resolutions. Did you make any? Have you kept them? What is standing in your way?
Take this as a moment to evaluate your progress. Big changes take patience and little steps add up. March is National Nutrition Month so it is a perfect time to focus on your health-related goals. Some goals to consider:
Move more- build up to 30-60minutes per day as long as your doctor is okay with you exercising. Carve out some time every day. Change your mind set. It’s not wasted time, it’s time to take care of you and build up a healthy heart and body. This doesn’t have to be a big chunk of time either. Think about parking a little further, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, if you live near town walk to the store or the post office. Build exercise into your daily routine.
Eat more slowly- pay attention to your body cues so you know if you’re really hungry and when you’re really full. Take the time to put your food on a plate and really experience the flavors and textures of what you’re eating. Remember that it takes 20 minutes or so for your body to realize that you are full, so try to eat until you’re satisfied but not stuffed.
Try smaller portions- start with less if you’re really hungry, you can always go back for more. Keep in mind that half of your plate should be fruits or vegetables (you’re trying for 5-9 servings per day). A meat portion is about the size of the palm of your hand and a quarter of your plate should be fiber rich whole grains or other carbohydrates. Drink more water. Decrease your intake of high sugar/low nutrition beverages by cutting your portion in half, diluting your juice or eliminating them all together.
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