Bridge to Wellness

Happy New Year 2022: Making Your Resolutions Worth It

by Sophia Speroff, MPH, RD

If you’re like the nearly 50% of Americans who make New Year’s resolutions each year, you might be looking for ways to improve your eating habits in 2022. Research shows that most adults usually gain weight over the holiday season. But don’t despair – this year’s New Year’s resolution can be different! It’s possible to make smart, healthy decisions while still enjoying the New Year and not falling off the wagon in two weeks. Use these tips to make your post-holiday resolutions with your household a healthy one.

Focus on balance.

With numerous fad diets occupying society, “healthy” can be a vague and puzzling term. Not only are these diets widely ineffective, but they are also unhealthy, the weight loss is short term, they don’t address exercise, and they often lead to poor self-image and health. Focus your efforts on eating a balanced diet. When planning your meals, try to incorporate carbohydrates, proteins, and fats; cover half your plate with fruits and vegetables. Think of it as eating the rainbow, which provides vitamins, fiber, and nutrients to keep you fuller longer.

Find your motivation.

An essential step to any goal is finding your “why.” While you start the New Year seeking to change your eating habits to lose weight, increase energy levels, or simply feel better about yourself, the true motivation is likely much deeper. When you surface the meaning behind your goal and give it a voice, a simple goal shifts into a mission. Think about your values and purpose and consider how a balanced diet can help you live up to those ideals.

Enjoy the food

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to diet. Instead, incorporate foods you already like, such as comfort foods. It’s not going to be sustainable if you’re not eating things you enjoy. Take your favorite food or meal and try making a balanced version or smaller portion of it.

Eating consistently throughout the day is key to making sure you get enough nutrients to fuel your body—if you don’t, you’ll likely end up bingeing in front of the TV. So, grab a snack or two throughout the day to keep you energized. Try planning a balanced snack between meals, one that incorporates a carbohydrate and a protein, such as a piece of fruit and a tablespoon of nut butter or vegetables or crackers with a dip such as hummus. This will give you the energy you need and keep you from overeating at your next meal.

To get to a place of balance, where eating healthy is the norm, ditch the rigid food rules and enjoy!

Cut yourself some slack

If you set a goal that doesn’t work out—such as eating breakfast regularly—or have a day where your meals are not fully balanced, don’t be discouraged. Be flexible and willing to try new things. Don’t be too hard on yourself when things don’t go as planned. Instead, reflect on those challenges and see where you can improve going forward.

Updates from SAWC or wellness-related community events

  • All are welcome to join us at the January Wellness Coalition meeting on January 18, 2022, at 4:30 p.m. in room 8 in the Stockbridge Activity Center (old middle school). Come in door 20 off the back parking lot.

Sources:

Sophia Speroff, MPH, RD

This column is sponsored by the Stockbridge Area Wellness Coalition. The folks at SAWC wish everyone a happy and healthy new year! In recognition of the new year, SAWC and the Stockbridge Community News extend a warm welcome to our new Bridge to Wellness columnist—Sophia Speroff. We’re looking forward to the tips she will be sharing. Sophia is a registered dietitian of 9 years with her master’s in public health, currently working at St Joseph Mercy Hospital in Chelsea as a community dietitian. She has an athletic and competitive side, staying active training for triathlons and half marathons. In her free time, Sophia likes to hike, folk dance and garden.

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