New Health Goals for Your New Year

Although many people are quick to make a New Year’s resolution, only a select few see them through. Experts say this is because the resolution is not relevant, or it is not specific enough in its wording to provide the guidance needed. Setting measurable goals and monitoring your progress is crucial to achieving your resolutions. You have to take relevant steps like eating whole foods and drinking water instead of sugary drinks. Being specific about your goals is the best way to launch a New Year’s resolution. That way making measurable actions a part of your day-to-day regimen will make it easier to resist temptation and reach your long-term goals. You should only make a resolution this year if the change is something that is important to you. Long lasting change must be self-motivated.

• Eat More Fiber to Feel Full - Consume more fiber. This will help you feel full longer after meals or snacks. Foods high in fiber include lentils, lima beans, artichokes, green peas, and broccoli.
• Include Good Fats - Choose higher fat foods carefully and learn to recognize the right portion size for these foods. Moreover, fat makes foods taste good when correctly used in meal preparation.
• Limit Liquid Sugar Intake - Alcoholic beverages are metabolized to sugar, and cocktail mixes can contain large quantities of added sugars that boost total caloric intake.
• Identify Culprits for Overeating - Overeating does not always occur due to hunger. Stress-eating, which includes eating out of boredom, is more often the reason for overeating than a fondness for a particular food.
• Avoid Foods with Added Sugars - Added sugar is obvious in candy and soft drinks, but it is often hidden processed meats, pre-packaged foods, ready-to-eat foods, and baked goods. If eating prepared foods check the Nutrition Facts Label.
• Include Extra Protein in Diet - A higher protein intake can boost your metabolism and reduce appetite. Include sensible portions of lean protein like fish, lean meats, poultry, nuts, and beans for more balanced menus.

Since improving one’s health and fitness is a priority on most people’s mind, saying weight loss is their New Year’s resolution is easy. However, successfully shedding unwanted weight requires prioritizing your efforts. When you can envision what you want to achieve, the course of action should be clear. Don’t just spout a lofty resolution. Set a plan and you’ll be better equipped for attaining a successful outcome. Giving yourself all of 2021 to attain your weight loss goals is far too open-ended. Create a weight loss pan in advance with realistic timelines to eliminate the guesswork and last-minute decision making. For people who are overweight or obese, losing a significant amount of weight can seem overwhelming.