A new year means a fresh start! For some, this fresh start may mean a new job, a new family member entering 2021, or even setting new health goals! Achieving greater health and fitness is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions and encompasses everything from losing weight to following a healthier diet. If setting new health resolutions each year is such a popular tradition, why is it so hard to achieve these goals? More often than not, the health and wellness resolutions set by individuals are nearly unattainable. Their restrictive nature often leads people to feel discouraged and break them within a few weeks.
If you're serious about your health and want to break this cycle, it's important to make resolutions that you can follow for life. Ditch hardcore diets and restrictions and instead focus on achievable swaps and changes that will improve your health and wellness over time. To help you get started, we've rounded up 10 attainable healthy New Year's resolutions that you can stick to. Keep reading to discover which resolution should be added to your list this year.
Consume More Whole Foods
One of the best ways to improve your health is by upgrading the food that you eat. Choosing to eat more whole foods and c in the new year like vegetables, fruits, nuts, quinoa, barley, fish and seeds is an excellent way to ensure that your food is providing your body with the nutrition it needs. An adequate amount of whole food nutrition will keep your body performing in tip-top shape and can even help significantly reduce your risk for certain illnesses and diseases. Replacing sugary foods with nutrient-rich ones will also help stabilize blood sugar levels and body weight.
Plus, the great thing about adding whole foods to your diet is that it can be done slowly. Instead of ridding your pantry of anything that's not a whole food, work on introducing new foods to your diet gradually. Swap your side of fries out for a plate of veggies, or load your favorite sandwich up with more greens. Working more and more of these nutrient-rich foods into your diet daily will create a positive change over time.
Get Moving
Do you feel like you're sitting all day long? For most of us, that's the case, especially if you have a sedentary job that requires you to be in front of a desk the majority of the day. Whether you're not moving much due to a long workday or merely being inactive, if you're feeling the effects of it, it's time you got moving. Sitting more than you should can negatively impact your health, both physically and mentally. This year make a resolution to sit less and move more.
The moving you choose to partake in should be tailored to fit your lifestyle. For example, if your job requires you to sit at a desk, make it a goal to go for a short walk at lunchtime, or take a quick five-minute break every hour. Even short bouts of walking and moving around will do your body good.
Or, if you're hoping to achieve a more active lifestyle, make it a goal to wake up earlier and go for a walk around the neighborhood before heading into work. Making small strives towards your goals each day will keep your body and your intentions propelling forward.
Get More Quality Sleep
If you live a busy lifestyle, then sleep is likely the last thing on your to-do list. While sleep may not seem necessary (or achievable) at the moment, too little sleep can lead to some pretty severe consequences, including a higher risk of disease.
Because there are many reasons why people don't get enough sleep, before making one of your resolutions to get more of it, it's crucial to determine why you're not getting enough in the first place. Whether it's a busy schedule, an overactive mind or bouts of insomnia, make it your goal to identify what's taking away from your sleep and improve upon it. Decreasing screen time before bed, reducing light, cutting back on caffeine and meditating are all ways that you can increase your chances of a restful night.
Cook More Meals at Home
This year, make cooking at home a priority. The more you cook at home, the more control you have over your meals. While you can still enjoy all of your favorite dishes, making them yourself provides you with the ability to swap not-so-healthy ingredients out for more wholesome ones. By upgrading the flour of a recipe, using healthy sweetener alternatives or gluten free mixes, you can make flavorful meals that are just as great for you as they taste.
Start Meal Prepping
If you're someone who eats out a lot, we recommend setting small steps towards achieving a healthy diet. Instead of trying to make all of your meals at home, start with one or two per day. A fun way to make cooking at home more manageable is to choose a day to sit down and meal prep for the week ahead. Not only will this prepare you for the entire week, but it will also help you take inventory of the ingredients you have and ones that you will need. Once you've figured out your meals and put together a shopping list, head to the grocery store to pick up the foods you need and nothing more. Doing so will help you stick to your menu, and you'll be less tempted to eat out knowing you have food waiting for you at home.
Ditch Convenience Foods
Don't load up on the snacks. While snack foods like packaged chips and frozen dinners are convenient, they're not too great for you. Rely less on grab and go snacks and more on wholesome, healthy treats.
By preparing homemade snacks beforehand and stocking up on convenient, healthy foods, you can ensure that whatever you're reaching for will provide you with the nutrients and energy needed to achieve your goals that day.
Remember, saying goodbye to store-bought snacks doesn't mean you have to ditch snacks altogether. Snacking on healthy homemade snacks like these Sunflower Crackers is a great way to stay satisfied during meals.
Use Healthier Household Products
When it comes to a healthier lifestyle, what you put on your body can significantly impact your health. By using cleaning products in your home, you're increasing the possibility of ingesting harmful chemicals, whether it be through skin or air. This year when purchasing your regular household products, search for health-conscious options. There are many natural household cleaners and beauty products on the market today, and if you can't find what you're looking for, try making it yourself! With a quick Google search, you can learn how to easily make everyday household cleaners with things you already have at home.
Visit the Grocery Store Weekly
If you've made it your goal to eat healthier this new year, then one of the most important steps you'll want to make is regular grocery shopping trips. Some foods have a longer shelf life than others. If you stock up on grains like quinoa, nuts, spices, granola, herbs and bars, then you may not need to repurchase them very quickly. That being so, fruits and vegetables will spoil if not eaten promptly. To make sure your kitchen remains stocked with fresh vegetables and produce, make weekly trips to the grocery store purchasing these items. While you're there, remember to purchase only what you need. Buying anything in excess will result in spoiled food and wasted money.
Depending on your schedule, it may be helpful to designate a specific day for grocery shopping. After a few weeks of shopping on the same day, you can better gauge how much of each item you'll need to buy.
Create a Sustainable, Nourishing Diet
Maybe your news year's resolution isn't one of these things; maybe it's all of them together! By making more meals at home, keeping your fridge stocked with healthy foods, ditching convenient items, and focusing more on whole foods, you can create a sustainable, nourishing diet that you'll be able to stick to for years. Establishing a healthy eating plan for you will not only work wonders for your physical health, but it can also improve your mental health as well. A well-nourished body can lead to better sleep patterns, more energy and increased happiness. When customized to your personal needs, a healthy long-term diet should be nutritious and adaptable, making it one that you can follow for life.
Spend More Time Outside
If you're itching to live a healthier lifestyle, get outside more. Getting out is a great way to give your body and mind a break from your everyday routine. Make it your New Year's resolution to spend a bit more time outside each day. Whether you choose to take a walk outside on your lunch break, dedicate 10 minutes to read outside in the morning or visit a local park. There are plenty of ways you can incorporate nature into your daily routine.
We hope that this list of attainable healthy New Year's resolutions has inspired you to make a few of your own. From improving sleep to making more homemade meals, each of these resolutions is bound to impact your life positively. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, Happy New Year!
