Keeping Healthy Eating Resolutions

Have you ever promised a friend or family member that you would do something for them or made a commitment to them in some way?   It feels good to help someone out, doesn’t it? Are you feeling that good about keeping your commitments to yourself?

This is the time of year when those New Year resolutions for healthy eating start to fade away. You’re too busy at work to feel like cooking when you get home, the fresh vegetable and fruit selections are less than inspiring in the winter and gosh, darn it- the fast food place is just so convenient. 

Still, you promised yourself that this would be the year.  It’s not too late; it’s never too late to begin again.  Follow my simple plan for re-committing to your health and your self: you’ll be glad you did.

Here’s what to do:

1. Start small. Start with breakfast and focus on healthy eating for just that one meal each day.  Do this for one week.
2. In the second week, continue eating a healthy breakfast and do the same for lunch every day.
3. Week three is the time to select a healthier dinner entrée.  You’re eating healthy meals for breakfast and lunch, so why not add dinner in too?  Do this every day.
4. Congratulations!  Three healthy meals a day is the goal and you’ve succeeded in retraining your brain, and your stomach, to honor your intentions.  Add plenty of cool, refreshing water and you are taking small steps that lead to the big fulfillment of your personal commitment to healthy eating.
5. Now that healthy eating is a habit, let’s not forget about the power of exercise. Make a list of twenty ways you would be willing to exercise your body. Your list might include things like “walking” to “go dancing Friday night” to “garden on the weekend”.  Moving your body is the key.  Once you have your list, set aside time for exercise three times per week.  Choose the form of exercise you will do from the list you made.
6. A healthy body needs replenishment.  Do that by setting a consistent bed time and a regular time to wake up by.  As your body regulates itself to a well-fed body that moves freely and is well-rested, your health will improve.

Most importantly, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you fulfilled a commitment to yourself for a healthier year.  Resolve to continue down the path to Happy Healing.