Healthy Challenges for the New Year
Some people love New Year resolutions, others hate them. Either way, recent research shows that only about 8% of people keep them. So maybe you’ve set some resolutions in the past but haven’t been all that successful. How about setting some challenges for yourself instead? Most people like some sort of challenge vs. a resolution that feels like something we must do.
Not sure where to start? Here are some suggestions for challenges you can adopt this year. Pick one or two to concentrate on, keep it simple, and keep your eye on the prize!
- Eat at least one serving of LEAFY greens per day
- Cut out processed food
- Eat no more than 24 grams of added sugars per day
- Practice gratitude daily
- Meditate 5 minutes per day
- Stop eating in front of the TV, computer or whatever else that distracts you
- Eat more real food
- Get outside for some fresh air every day, even in the winter
- Get 7-8 hours of sleep per night
- Try a new superfood every month (chia seeds, hemp seeds, goji berries…)
- Fill half your plate with fruits and veggies at lunch and dinner
- Close the kitchen after dinner
- Practice positive self-talk
- Eat when you are hungry, stop when you are 80% full
- Sign up for a 5K, color run, ruckus or marathon
- Form a walking group at work and walk daily during lunch
Some tips:
Set appropriate challenges. Challenge yourself enough so that its fun, but don’t make it impossible. Does this mean that you shouldn’t set a jaw-dropping, take your breath away goal? Of course not! By all means, if that inspires you and makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning do it. Just don’t forget that small changes really add up.
Resolve to do it your way. There is an overwhelming amount of information available to help you with your challenge. Do your due diligence and research, but then find something that works for you.
So, pick something you enjoy, and be SPECIFIC about how you will achieve it. Here’s to a happy and healthy New Year!
