Measurable Goals versus Resolutions for Your Health

Happy New Year!  With the New Year upon us, it is natural to begin making resolutions and considering positive lifestyle changes.  Finding ways to improve health and quality of life is the ultimate goal.  Unfortunately, making resolutions sometimes sets people up for failure.  It can be difficult to keep a resolution all year long.  How can setting measurable goals for your health and wellness be more successful than making resolutions?  Very simply, you are more likely to meet a small, measurable goal than meeting a resolution to change an ingrained behavior. 

Organization

If you want to be better organized and more productive this year, you are not alone.  Following through with complicated planner systems or cleaning out long neglected areas in the house can be overwhelming.  Making small changes to be better organized will offer a sense of accomplishment.  Begin by making a list of three minor things you would like to organize.  Clean out a junk drawer, donate unused toys to charity, or create a calendar for family appointments.  Make your first three projects small and manageable.  Once you have completed those three, cross them off and add three more to the list.  At the end of the year, looking back to see all you have accomplished is quite rewarding. 

Diet

One of the most common resolutions people make is to lose weight and eat healthy foods.  If you have fallen into less than healthy eating habits, setting small measurable goals to improve your diet is a better first step to lasting change.  Consider setting a goal to eat one serving of fruits and vegetables with every meal.  You may also set a goal to abstain from sugar for one day.  If you are successful for one day, you may wish to add another day.  Tracking your goals and being mindful of small healthy choices will set you up for eating healthy foods to serve your body. 

Exercise

Many people want to commit to more consistent exercise.  Starting off with a strenuous routine is setting yourself up for failure.  Some of these tips may help you make a lasting commitment to a healthy exercise routine:

·       Purchase a pedometer or download a step calculator app for your phone

·       Stretch every day before you get out of bed

·       If you have a few minutes, do a few lunges, knee bends or wall push-ups

·       Find a friend to commit to working out

·       Engage in activities you enjoy like bike riding, hiking or kayaking

Closing Thoughts from Dr. Tali

It is common to set resolutions for the New Year.  However, make your goals small and measurable to have greater success.  Goals can help you experience an overall sense of health and wellness.  Along with the healthy goal areas above, consider making a commitment to regular chiropractic care.  Your chiropractor will adjust your body and prescribe wellness practices for ease of motion and optimum body functioning.  At Radiant Health Chiropractic, we are eager to move you into a wellness-focused year, one day at a time.  Call us today to schedule an appointment.   

In wellness,   

Dr. Tali