Don’t Wait Until 2020 to Start These Health Resolutions
By Libby Pellegrini, MMS, PA-C•
Women’s Health
When it comes to your New Year’s resolutions, starting early may help you chart a healthy course for the entire New Year.
The Oxford dictionary definition of resolution is “a firm decision to do or not to do something.” Make a resolution this year to implement changes in your life before January 1st, and you may have an easier time sticking to your guns when it comes to your health resolutions.
New Year’s Resolutions Are Typically Fueled by Guilt
December is a month of bloat and excess, so a natural boomerang of guilt follows in January. Cue the ambitious New Year’s resolutions that are very hard to adhere to and the inevitable second wave of guilt that comes when you fail to stick with them by February. Research has shown that up to 73 percent of women who resolve to lose weight in the New Year fail.
You can break this vicious cycle by implementing your health resolutions early. For many people, the holidays are the most stressful time of the year. Being able to take on your resolutions during the holidays – and _succeeding_ – can give you the confidence to continue implementing your resolutions all year long.
Start these five health resolutions early, and you may surprise yourself with how much easier it is to stick to a plan that is a deliberate and steady course instead of a reactionary yo-yo of guilt.
1\. Cut Out Added Sugar
This resolution seems especially tricky when you envision the annual holiday bounty of sweets. But in reality, much of our need for New Year’s resolutions stems from the fact that most of us overdo it over the holidays. Imagine not having a valley of carbohydrate shame that you need to climb out of in the first place. By practicing mindfulness, you can take control of which holiday sweets are your “musts” and which ones are easy to ditch.
Depriving yourself of sugar completely will be hard to uphold, so allowing for small indulgences here and there, especially those with sentimental value, can help you stay on track. Have an obligatory nibble while you put cookies and milk out underneath the tree, but ditch the mindless snacking at the office Christmas party.
2\. Implement a New Cooking Plan
Resolve to cook more at home and spice up your kitchen routine by upgrading your home cooking regimen. Start this resolution early so that you can capitalize on holiday sales. Here are a few tips:
Swap out the starchy noodles for zucchini noodles by investing in a vegetable spiralizer. Encourage yourself to eat more salads by snagging a new salad bowl, salad cutter, or salad strainer. Vow to bring lunch to the office more frequently in lieu of eating out and incentivize yourself with a new set of glass Tupperware. Encourage yourself to drink more water by investing in a water sparkler.3\. Upgrade Your Exercise Plan
Any New Year’s health resolution should include an exercise plan. Increasing your exercise during the holidays, instead of after, can help with stress management. According to the CDC, adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, each week. Incentivize yourself to meet this weekly goal by using holiday sales to gift yourself a new pair of leggings or sports gear.
4\. Demand a Low-Stress Day
Downtime and days off generally occur during the holidays, not in January, so resolve to take advantage of your time off in December by planning a low-stress day. On this day, do not set an alarm, do not even look at the to-do list. Instead, schedule a self-care activity such as yoga or a massage. Resolve to repeat this low-stress day once a month in the New Year; mark the days out on the 2020 calendar to make sure you stick with the plan.
5\. Resolve to Add More to Your Health Savings
As December whirls by, conduct a financial health check-up to decide how to budget for the holidays and identify where you can save more money in the New Year. If you wait until January, you may miss out on deep discounts when it comes to health savings. The cost of prescription medications, in particular, can add up. Resolve to take advantage of savings programs and coupons to help with your budget. You can use RxSaver to save up to 85 percent on prescription drugs at the pharmacy.
Libby Pellegrini, MMS, PA-C
Libby Pellegrini, MMS, PA-C, is a nationally certified physician assistant. She currently works in emergency medicine where she sees and treats a broad spectrum of illnesses across all age ranges. She holds a journalism degree from Northwestern University.
The information on this site is generalized and is not medical advice. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard seeking advice or delay in seeking treatment because of something you have read on our site. RxSaver makes no warranty as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of this information.
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