Have You Made Resolutions for a Healthier 2013?

Have You Made Resolutions for A Healthier 2013?

Like millions of Americans you’ve probably made your New Year’s resolutions for the year. Losing weight, eating healthier and being more physically active are some of the most common. But many New Year’s resolutions focusing on adopting healthy behaviors are often abandoned after a few weeks. One of the reasons for this is lack of specific goals. Research shows that the more specific the goal, the more successful the outcome. Adopting any of the following resolutions may bring better outcomes.
  Resolution #1: Eat Breakfast. People who consistently start their day with a healthy breakfast tend to have healthier weights and are more likely to lose weight and maintain their loss.
  Resolution #2: Limit sedentary activities. Studies indicate that people who set limits on sedentary activities such as watching television, tend to be more active. Before setting out to be more physically active, health professionals often recommend that individuals first limit the amount of time they spend on sedentary activities i.e. limit television viewing to no more than two hours per day.
  Resolution #3: Exercise one hour per day. Individuals who engage in daily physical activity for at least an hour report greater success in losing weight.
  Resolution #4: Practice portion control. Reducing the amount of food you eat will obviously help with reducing your caloric intake and result in weight loss. One way to cut down on portions is to use a smaller plate or bowl. Avoid the “bigger size” option at fast food restaurants or share an entrée with someone when dining out.
  Resolution #5: Eat more fruits and vegetables. Increasing fruit and vegetable intake has many health benefits. Studies show that as fruit and vegetable intake increases, high fat and high sugar intake decreases, which may result in weight loss and other health benefits.