Monday, January 16, 2012

New Year's Resolutions

Did Santa leave extra weight under your tree?

How are your New Year's resolutions going? Did you make any? Nearly half of all Americans made a resolution this year--and two weeks in, about 70% of you are still going strong. The most popular resolution is losing weight, increasing exercise or changing eating habits. Let's look at the evidence to successfully make changes.

We need to soak in good information. We do need fats, carbs, and proteins to thrive, but we need them to accompany nutrients. This is why pop, sweet tea, and other simple carbs are "empty calories". When we take in calories without fiber, vitamins, & minerals, we miss the most important part. As Dr. Robert Lustig said, "Wherever there's fructose [sugar] in nature, there's way more fiber. The only exception is honey, and that's guarded by bees!"

Make a resolution that will last--make a lifestyle change. Most people require a change of food types, portion control, and exercise intensity. Make sure you include all three. Decide on specifically what you will eat, what you won't, and how much you're going to move in a day. Then tackle the biggest challenge of all: personal identity.

Evaluate your attitude. Are you fighting your desires? Are you leaning on your willpower, guilt, or shame to help you make new choices? Long term change requires a positive, curious view of one's self. You are encouraged to be creative about how you might succeed in the future, taking one step forward at a time.

Seek an identity shift. If you view yourself as a cookie lover, it's going to be very difficult to step away from cookies--but if you identify as a former-cookie lover, you will more easily avoid a less-healthful input. Perhaps you've experienced this with boxed mac & cheese, fish sticks, or other child-focused foods you no longer eat. If you identify as someone who loves a certain food, you will eventually breakdown and consume it. If you recognize that you are a new person--someone who is making new choices, you won't have to use willpower alone to overcome temptation.

I hope you are encouraged to make a healthy choice in this new year. If you wish you made a resolution weeks ago, tomorrow is a great day to start. Look for healthy, wise advice--and seek to be curious and positive about your new identity. You may discover that you've been hiding a love for bok choy, kale, or brussel sprouts beneath those carbs. Happy Belated New Year!