As the first month of the New Year 2024 winds down, let’s think about how we can weave meaningful choices into our daily routines. The notion of “New Year, New Me” can be quite overwhelming. So instead, let’s focus on small, consistent steps that will move us toward feeling well. Let’s embrace positive changes one step, one healthier choice, and one veggie at a time!
Make your intention stick this year with a different approach.
To come up with the best new year’s intention – one that will last – you’ll need to do some real soul searching. Figure out why losing weight and improving your health is so important to you. If you can come up with just one reason that really (really!) matters, you are much more likely to stay committed. For example, if you want to improve your health so you can be part of the lives of your children or grandchildren as they grow, consider why this is important to you. If your reason is meaningful enough to truly inspire change, you will be on your way to awesome success.
What are you ready, willing, and able to do day-after-day?
The next step is to come up with a plan that focuses on small goals along the way rather than just the big outcome. If you make choices every day, week after week, that are realistic and consistent with your intention, you might just find it actually happens for you this year.
Make sure that your short-term (daily and weekly) goals are setting you up for success – not failure. Don’t be overzealous and ask too much of yourself. If you do this, you’ll be starting down an unsustainable and unhealthy path. Establish heathy, realistic, action-oriented smart goals.
Over-the-top potentially unrealistic goals
Unsustainable goals are likely to set you up for failure.
- Go to the gym seven days a week and exercise for an hour.
- Never go out to eat.
- Completely cut out carbs.
- Lose at least 5 lb. per week.
- Eat less than 1,000 calories per day.
Smart action-oriented goals
Start slowly and keep a steady pace with actions that are challenging, yet achievable.
- Walk and take the stairs whenever possible.
- Eat some vegetables with lunch and dinner.
- Cook dinner at least 2 days per week.
- Bring leftovers for lunch more often.
- Eat 3 meals per day.
If you need help making this year the year that you accomplish your health goals, please get in touch. I’d be happy to help you come up with a realistic healthy eating plan that you can stick with.
Message me or call 732-494-1149. Let’s start with a conversation.
Meanwhile, be grateful, patient, and nice, stay hydrated, treat yourself and others with kindness, move more, and eat your veggies!
Lorraine Matthews-Antosiewicz, MS, RD
