New Year’s resolutions – you have to love them. At the beginning of each year one-third of us resolve to do something different that year. However after only one week into the New Year, 25% of us have thrown that idea away like a worn shoe. Only 46% of us will have stuck to our goal by the time we are half way through the year.
If you are one of the third of people that makes a New Year’s resolution, here are five of the more common health-related ones that will give you a healthier lifestyle:
1 – Lose Weight
After all of the holiday meals, parties and office celebrations, many of us are ready to lose the holiday pounds that found us and refuse to leave. Patience is the name of the game when trying to lose weight. Keep in mind the weight you are trying to take off didn’t come on overnight, so don’t expect to lose it as fast. A safe weight loss recommended by healthcare professionals is about 1 to 1 ½ pounds per week.
Weight loss works by burning more calories than you consume. A deficit of 3,500 calories per week will result in losing 1 pound. Focus on eating fruits and vegetables, nuts, lean meats and fish in the correct proportions to keep the calorie count down.
2- Quit Smoking
On average, people that smoke live ten years less than those who don’t. Smoking can cause a whole host of health issues including cancer, heart disease, stroke and respiratory problems. People that have successfully quit tell us they tried many times and failed until they found the right method that worked for them.
3- Reduce Stress
Many of us are stressed to the limit, but may not realize it. Chronic stress can cause depression, obesity, heart disease and insomnia – all which take a toll on our heath. Reduce stress by taking vacations, socializing with other people, and getting enough good sleep.
4- Drink Less Alcohol
One or two drinks a day don’t seem to have much of a negative effect on our body, but when drinking excessively or binging, it can cause depression, memory loss or even seizures. When done to the chronic level over a long period of time, hypertension, stroke, liver damage and even cancer are all possible health issues – some of which are life-threatening.
5- Get More Sleep
Our bodies need an adequate amount of sleep each night to repair themselves. Without enough sleep we have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity and mental fogginess.
The mistake many of us make is we make too many resolutions at once. Resolve to do just one or two things at a time. Once successful, then add others as appropriate.
