Happy New Year!

You probably have all heard the phrase that can often come with New Year’s- “New Year, New You.” Yes, it’s that time of the year where all commercials are focused on weight loss programs, all gyms will start to be filled with people obsessed with losing weight, and everyone will be coming up with their New Year’s Resolutions. In fact, we all have probably been there before-we come up with a resolution, which will be difficult to carry out long term. It could be exercising every day starting January 1st or giving up all kinds of sweets. Most often these resolutions are not realistic and will eventually be broken, which only leads us to feeling worse about ourselves and feeling like we have failed at goals. This New Year’s- be kind to yourself. If you decide to make a New Year’s resolution, instead of picking an unrealistic one that will cause additional stress, pick flexible and healthy ones. For example, instead of saying “I will exercise for 30 minutes every day of the week”, go for “I will find a new activity or exercise that I enjoy doing with a friend each week or month.” Or instead of saying “I will give up all desserts”, remember moderation is an okay thing and that there is no one bad food and say “I will try a new fruit or vegetable once a week or month.” Both of the later examples, provide a healthy alternative to the rigid resolutions that we often hear. For example by incorporating different colored fruits and vegetables in your diet, you will help to get a variety of vitamins and minerals, which will help your overall well-being. Wishing you a happy, healthy, and safe New Year!