Healthful & Realistic Resolutions for 2008

What will it be this year? Lose 15 pounds…join a health club… take up a new sport… keep off the weight you lost last summer? For many of us, the end of a year and the beginning of another year offers hope of resolutions to better ourselves in some way.

More than half of all new year's resolutions are health-related and well over half of those are related to weight loss. That's the good news. As you may have guessed, the sad news is that too many resolutions never make it to February or March. Instead, they are put aside until December 31 rolls around again, months later.

The best, proactive approach to making your health-related new year's resolution is to carefully think through your health priorities and then realistically make a plan for success. For example, a resolution to lower blood cholesterol can be achieved by choosing foods with less saturated fat and by doing aerobic exercise 5 days a week. A resolution to strengthen bones can be achieved by frequently eating low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese, along with resistance training. A resolution to reduce blood pressure can be achieved by focusing on eating natural, rather than processed, foods since they are lower in sodium. Also, slow and steady weight loss will likely help.

Consider choosing one realistic and meaningful resolution. Then, follow through by living the resolution all year long. You will be surprised at the number of people you know who may be inspired by your healthy lifestyle example.

New Year's Resolutions List

•  Make a light and healthy breakfast your top morning priority
•  Snack on foods and beverages that are full of nutrition, not calories
•  Replace a sugary dessert with sweet and juicy fruit
•  Try a new vegetable once a week ~ there are so many varieties
•  Re-think your portions…smaller may be better
•  Switch from soft drinks to water
•  Join a good friend or family member for fun exercise 5 days a week