Resolutions: Time to change bad habits

Resolutions

The reason resolutions (or diets or exercise routines) fail is because people approach them as all or nothing things. It has taken me years to outline a fitness routine I can really keep week after week. If something in my schedule changes then I have to take a few weeks and adjust my routine. Its not always perfect.

Dieting by eliminating a food group, drinking shakes instead of eating meals or using foods to cleanse is no way to live long-term so it will not work for most people. Deciding to exercise by going out and running until you feel nauseous or lifting weights that are too heavy with poor form is no way to start an exercise routine.

You need to pick a resolution that you can really follow through on – that means you’re ready to commit to it and it's something that you try to change gradually, not all at once on Jan 1. Below are some ideas that together will maximize your health and fitness, but just choose a few to start with and build from there!


1) REDUCE YOUR SUGAR INTAKE: Become aware of how much sugar you consume and reduce it. One teaspoon of sugar is 4grams.

2) EAT 100% Whole Grains: Not "whole wheat", not "multi-grain", not "enriched, unbleached or refined", find wheat pasta you can enjoy.

3) BURN FAT: Plan a certain number of days you can really commit to cardio exercise and do it. Walk, run, bike, ellip.

4) IMPROVE YOUR SNACKS: Potato chips, full fat ice cream, candy, cake, cookies, sugary cereals. Have them outside your home/office only occasionally

5) STOP OBSESSING: I really understand how crazy a number can make all of us but focus more on good consistent habits instead of the scale.

6) BUILD MUSCLE: If you train consistently one day a week you need to be sure to do a second day on your own, building muscle requires consistency.

7) SAY NO TO NEW DIET TRENDS: A new year brings new diets & new diet books. A good pattern of eating 90% of the time allows for 10% splurges.

8) LIGHTEN UP: On your butter, measure your oils every time, use cream, jelly and cheese sparingly. Start becoming more aware of what you eat.

9) EAT OUT LESS: You really don't know how many calories you are consuming when you eat out. Eating out often makes it very hard to stay fit.

10) PUT YOURSELF FIRST: A lot of things can come between you and fitness: your job, your family, your friends; no one can keep you on track except you!