We all go into New Years with the best of intentions. Overhaul the food plan! Exercise every day! Banish stress! But not long after the champagne flutes are put away, the goals get put on a shelf as well and the resolutions are lost until next New Year’s Eve.

One reason why? Our goals are too grand. This year, why not vow to make small, concrete changes. Then you’ll be more likely to follow through. Here are some ideas:

Put more vegetables on your plate. Focusing on what you can add in, as opposed to what you can take out, will seem easier.

Take the stairs instead of the elevator at work. Sneaking in exercise here and there during the day will be easy to incorporate into your life.

Don’t go on a fad diet this year. You may lose weight on a fad diet but anything more than a pound or two a week could spell trouble in the form of muscle loss, rather than fat. And you’ll almost certainly put the weight back on the minute you start eating regularly.

Prepare at least one meal at home each week. Making your own healthy meals can not only help keep your calorie intake in check, but also boost your intake of body-fueling nutrients. Plus, you’ll likely spend less money.

Keep healthy food visible in the pantry and fridge. University researchers found that women who kept more junk food out in their kitchens had higher BMIs than those who kept out healthy food.¹

Give away one piece of clothing every time you buy one piece of clothing. Keep your closet and your pocketbook in order!

Get into bed 15 minutes earlier than usual. Shut down your electronics and create a nightly ritual to help you wind down.

Give your spouse/significant other/kids one compliment every day. Send good vibes out into your house and see how much happier everyone is.

Make sure your moisturizer or foundation has sunscreen in it. The sun is doing damage to your skin all the time, even on cloudy days.

Have a healthy snack at 4pm every day. If you plan for it, you’ll be less likely to binge on vending food junk. And not be starving by dinner time.

Take a time-out at 3pm every day. Set a reminder to close your eyes and breathe in through your nose for 10 seconds, then out through your mouth for 10 seconds.

Do one random act of kindness each week. This one should be easy. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. Leave a heart drawn on a piece of paper on someone’s windshield, hold the door for the person behind you, or offer the mail carrier a cup of hot chocolate.

Pick up the phone and call a friend once a week. We rely too much on texting these days. Hearing a friend’s voice can help you connect on a deeper level.

Take a multi-vitamin every day. Nobody’s eating plan is perfect. Just about everyone could use a daily multi to complement efforts to eat a healthy diet. Think of it as dietary insurance to fill any nutrient gaps between what your diet provides and what your body needs for optimal health. We may be biased, but we’re partial to ENDUR-VM® Multi-Vitamin Multi-Mineral. This sustained-release, complete multi provides protective antioxidants, energizing B vitamins, vitamin D3, and more. Plus, its unique sustained-release delivery helps maximize nutrient absorption.*

About Endurance Products Company

Endurance Products Company has been a trusted source of quality dietary supplements since 1978. Our sustained-release and extended-release tablets feature a unique vegetable wax matrix that releases nutrients in a slow, steady manner over a period of hours for optimal nutrient absorption and retention.

References

1. Wansink B, Hanks AS, Kaipainen K. Slim by design: kitchen counter correlates of obesity. Health Educ Behav. 2016;43(5):552-8. PMID: 26481966.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.