DO make your resolution measurable. “Get fit” is not a measurable goal. Instead you could train for your first 5K to be completed in March or set a goal to be able to do 20 push-ups from toes instead of knees by April or enroll in the Mountain Conditioning class and plan to climb Mt. Rainier in July. If you set small realistic goals, the overall goal won’t seem overwhelming.
DON’T pressure yourself into unrealistic (and unhealthy) goals. Setting a New Year’s resolution to lose 40 pounds before your family vacation to Mexico in mid-February instills unhealthy mental and physical pressure. Crash dieting, following outlandish nutrition fads, and over-exercising are neither short-term not long-tern solutions to a balanced weight loss equation.
DO make exercise a priority. Just like you schedule time in your day for work meetings or picking up your child from school, scheduling exercise into your day allows you to take time out of your day to reinvigorate your mind and body. Sign up for group fitness classes, a personal trainer, or simply arrange to meet a friend for a workout. Accountability is key to achieving your exercise goals.
DON’T believe everything you hear. Dietitians are nutrition professionals. We know that food is so intertwined with our mental and physical health, so why trust a blog or non-evidence-based website to give you appropriate nutritional guidance? Visit with a Registered Dietitian at PRO Sports Club for a science-based approach to nutritional questions and concerns.
DO cook more often. With hectic lives and schedules that demand quick, convenient meals, it’s irresistibly easy to pick up food from a restaurant on your way home from a busy day. The majority of these foods, however, are packed with excessive amounts of sugar, fat, and salt. These three nutrients wreak havoc on your metabolism when consumed in excess. Try cooking two new dinner recipes per week (via the recipes section on 2020lifestyles.com). Batch-cook your meals to eat for lunch the following day. The number of calories you’ll save by home-cooking simple, satisfying, and delicious meals for you and your family will amaze you.
DO MAKE HEALTHY NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
• I WILL treat myself to a protein shake in the Bistro or Cafe after each class.
• I WILL drink 64 oz of water per day.
• I WILL either make (or plan for) my lunch every night for the next day.
• I WILL attend three Happy Hour classes per week.
• I WILL walk 5,00 steps per day and will track my daily totals via pedometer.
Originally from PRO Pulse January-February 2014
