Each year many of you make a New Year’s resolution to lose weight or get healthy but unfortunately for many that resolution never becomes a reality. So how can you make this year different and not only improve your overall health but keep doing this for a lifetime? The key to a New Year’s resolution is YOU! You make the resolution and you have to keep it – it’s as simple as that but acting on that simple statement takes a lot of hard work. Another point is what motivates you because if you are motivated you are more likely to succeed with any resolution you make. Here are some suggestions for both short and long-term goals for a “healthy” resolution:

Short-term Goals:

1. Make small, even daily, goals that you can achieve. This sets you up for success and the more you succeed with the small goals, the more confidence you gain to succeed with the big goals.
2. Prioritize your goals and try to concentrate on the most important ones first. This way you can make changes that you feel are most significant to your health.
3. Achieving daily goals will help you develop new, permanent habits.

Long-term Goals:

1. What motivates you to get healthy? Only you can answer this question but it is the most important one when it comes to not just getting healthy but staying healthy! Once you have the answer you will have a big part of the “puzzle” put in place for achieving your resolution.
2. Develop new habits that you can maintain for a lifetime with both eating and lifestyle habits. Having healthy eating habits and staying active daily are critical for a lifetime of good health.
3. Remember this is not all or nothing! Success is obtained one step at a time and if you have an “all or nothing” attitude you may be your own worse enemy when it comes to your health habits. Be kind to yourself because no one is perfect but you won’t succeed if you don’t keeping trying!

Three “Rules” to Follow:

1. Eat at least 3 meals every day. Eat more frequent, smaller meals and snacks if you prefer having adequate calories to support your metabolism and promote weight management.
2. Exercise EVERY DAY! This means you should do some type of structured exercise routine (like walking) in addition to having an active daily routine.
3. Drink adequate amounts of water daily – for most people this means at least 64 oz. each day but having more in warmer weather or while exercising is even better.

Superfoods

Discover how to prevent heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses with nutrient-packed foods that are loaded with antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Broccoli
Considered one of the most nutritious vegetables around, broccoli is packed with numerous vitamins and minerals to help fight cancer, build strong bones, and lower cholesterol. This superfood is loaded with fiber, antioxidants to fight cancer, and vitamin C to aid in iron absorption. While broccoli doesn't provide as much calcium as a glass of milk, it is a great source of calcium to help control blood pressure and build strong bones. Aim to eat broccoli as well as other cruciferous vegetables (cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts) several times per week to reap the good-for-you benefits.

Green Tea
Embrace the wisdom of the ancient Chinese philosophers and fight cancer and heart disease with a sip or a spoonful of green tea. Green tea and green tea extracts are rich in epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)–a powerful antioxidant that not only inhibits the growth of cancer cells but also kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. Green tea may also increase mental alertness, aid in weight loss, reduce LDL cholesterol, and protect the skin from sun damage. With all of these potential health benefits, why not give it a try?

Pomegranates
Celebrated since ancient times as a symbol of vitality and abundance, the pomegranate actually does offer health benefits that are more that just mythical. Enjoy the benefits of this fruit in the edible seeds and the sweet-tart juice.  Just one glass of pomegranate juice has the same polyphenol content as two glasses of red wine, four glasses of cranberry juice, or 10 cups of green tea. It's also an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, and calcium.

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