Studies have shown that setting overwhelming and unattainable goals right from the start would result in unfulfilled goals. Psychologists have found that we're more likely to succeed with our resolutions if we break them into smaller goals that are specific, measurable and time-based. So here are some easy-peasy resolutions for you to work on this year so that you can achieve and maintain a healthy body and improve your mental well-being. We have ensured that these resolutions would be easy to follow and breezy to stick to, so that you don’t end up with too much on your plate, quite literally! ;)
1. More home-cooking:
Our busy and erratic lifestyles might completely tempt us to give in to canned, processed and ready-made food products – but they are causing more harm in the long term. And how much time are we saving by using them, really? No one is oblivious to the fact that such food products contain massive amounts of preservatives, chemicals, unhealthy fats and other similar substandard ingredients that your stomach would definitely glare at you for.
Hence, we urge you to bring out all your shabby cooking skills with complete swag and give priority to the good ol’ ghar-ka-khaana. Always start easy and small, talk to the most seasoned players of the game – mothers or relatives, and use simple methods. And after you’ve mastered the basics – dig out all those fancy cookbooks and bookmarked recipe blogs and cook away to gourmet glory!
2. Why do I eat?
Do you recall the last time you said “Oh Gosh, look at that delicious, spongy brownie with smoldering, brown, thick chocolate simmering and disappearing into its sweet and beautiful surface”, with starry and glistening eyes? Well, cut to the present and maybe that little tummy bulge will disagree with your dramatic eyes. The focus here is to keep asserting the reasons for eating something to yourself. Sometimes you may eat something you don’t like to set a good example for your kids, sometimes you might not eat something you like simply to fit into your old jeans again. If you know the reason that is fuelling your desire to eat better, you can use that same reason to motivate yourself when you get all those unhealthy cravings. So whenever you find yourself mindlessly running after food or its appeal, try to ask yourself, why you are eating that food.
3. Get in touch with your social life:
Studies have shown that the lack of a healthy social lifestyle can damage one’s health as much as alcohol abuse and smoking do. In our hazy and tiring lifestyles, getting and staying in touch with our friends and family is one of the best ways to avoid chronic stress and depression. Talking to friends about your goals and dreams is more likely to contribute to the success and overall mental well-being. Gravitate towards people who support, motivate and improve you so that you automatically feel inspired to pursue the best version of yourself to make everyone happy. Ditch Facebook and jog your way to a hearty laughter session with your dearest ones as often as you can.
4. Sugar? No, please!
Added or Refined Sugar (like sucrose and high fructose corn syrup) contain a high bunch of calories without any essential nutrients. Naturally occurring sugars, on the other hand, can be found in natural food resources, like fruits (fructose) and milk or dairy products (lactose). Added Sugars or caloric sweeteners are added to foods or beverages during their preparation and serve no major purpose other than adding a sugary palatableness to those dishes. However, such added sugars have adverse effects on our bodies as they tend to overload the liver, cause insulin resistance - thereby resulting in diabetes, promote fat-building, raise cholesterol levels and even contribute to obesity – in both adults and kids. Since sugar is widely used in our country in the preparation of various food items, it is not practical to completely eliminate it from our diets. However, one can make conscious decisions to avoid sugar by opting for salted popcorn instead of the caramel flavor at the next movie or by ditching the extra sugar we lace our juices and smoothies with.
5. Eat more plants and try new stuff:
Adopting a plant-rich diet is extremely helpful as it will not only help to add essential nutrients and protein to the body, but also lower the risk of high cholesterol levels and heart disease. Natural and fresh fruits and vegetables are the best resources of all the essential components that your body requires to nourish itself with. Give the allegedly ‘horrible’ veggies (bitter gourd, radish, spinach, broccoli) a spin at least once and behold the benefits they shower on your health and body. Do not be hesitant to try out new varieties of fruits or vegetable preparations and remember the simple rule – Fruits and Veggies are supposed to together cover at least half your plate.
6. Get more sleep:
Ever since we have turned into adults, we have established time and again - that if there is anything that can make us blissfully happy, the one true love of our time and lives – then it is sleep. You don’t need a whole another resolution to give sleep some more priority in your life! Adequate sleep is a key part of a healthy lifestyle and can benefit your heart, weight, mind, and more. So take that nap and hit that snooze button for another 5 minutes – and don’t feel guilty about it.
7. Go easy and maintain a balance:
While following resolutions or any particular diet or eating plan, always be flexible and respond to the needs of your body. Don’t go overboard or too hard on yourself while trying to achieve a fit body and respect the way your body functions. Eat regularly and work with your body and not against it. Eat healthy and stay fit!