How to best sustain them: tips from Abrazo Heath!

New Year’s resolutions are a time-honored tradition of the holidays. Resolutions related to health are a fantastic way to improve quality of life – if you commit to them, says Dr. Samyuktha Sreenivasan, Internal Medicine, Abrazo Medical Group.

While making a commitment to staying active and making healthier choices can be challenging, Dr. Sreenivasan says there are steps to take to give health-related New Year’s resolutions the greatest odds of long-term success.

“If you start a new activity you don’t enjoy, odds are against you sticking with it. So, find something that works for you, that you enjoy, and if possible, that you can do with a friend or family member for that added layer of support,” says Dr. Sreenivasan.

For those committing to exercise more, Dr. Sreenivasan says it is important to first consult your physician then start slowly and ramp up activity over time.

People often start too strong and give 110 percent. For example, exercising seven days a week or completely cutting out certain meals they enjoy. This is when people tend to quit their resolutions, according to Dr. Sreenivasan.

Completely eliminating favorite foods is counter-productive to making long-term healthy diet changes, says Dr. Kelly Shortridge, General and Bariatric surgeon, Abrazo Health.

“If you can't eat something ever, it controls you, but if you can have something in moderation, you control it,” says Dr. Shortridge.

“Instead, think portion control and moderation, such as cutting back on sodas and sweet teas: simple things that show significant results over time.”

TIPS

• Get moving – Whether it is going for a simple walk with your dog or completing a regular chore like mowing the

• grass, routinely engaging in light exercise can help reduce the shock of starting a new exercise routine in January.

• Find something you enjoy – Before starting your exercise routine, do research and find an activity you enjoy. Enjoying your fitness routine can be the first step to a successful commitment.

• Do not over-do it – One of the biggest mistakes when it comes to the New Year’s resolution to fitness is trying to do too much too fast. Set obtainable goals and schedules that are sustainable. Remember, committing to fitness is a lifetime goal – a marathon, not a sprint!

• Diet is key – Eating a healthy diet is just as important as meeting your fitness goals, but again, do not over-do it. Cutting yourself off entirely from your favorite foods is not necessarily a recipe for success.