By JENNIFER MEADOWS
Deeply Rooted Nutritional Therapy
Los Alamos
Right now, people are fleshing out their resolutions for 2024, many of which focus on improving health. Losing x-number of pounds and joining a gym or workout program are probably pretty common resolutions.
I’m not much of a resolution maker, but I do keep health goals. They aren’t reserved just for the new year, but are something I hone throughout the seasons.
You might ask, “What’s the difference between a resolution and goal?”
A resolution is a firm decision to change a behavior. “I’m going to do this and not do that.”
A goal however, is something to aspire to. It gives you a target to work toward and allows for a journey, for progress.
If/when you fail at a resolution, you’re likely to revert back to old behaviors. When you’ve made realistic health goals, you can take incremental steps toward reaching them. There may be setbacks along the way, but the small actions you take can morph into lasting lifestyle changes.
Here are five goals to consider for a year ahead of better health:
- Drink ½ your body weight in ounces of water daily. Dehydration is responsible for many symptoms that people suffer from, and the solution is an easy one. Drink more water! Use a pitcher or water bottle and figure out how many times you’d need to fill it to meet your goal. Keep it out as a visual reminder of how much more you need. You may not hit your mark every day, but by paying more attention, you’ll do so more than not.
- Begin each day with protein. Protein is the nutrient that builds and repairs all of our tissues. It’s required for muscle growth and healing. It’s also satiating, meaning if you eat more of it, you’re less likely to be hungry. Starting off your day with protein can give you a boost in the morning and curb those cravings later in the day when you’d normally be reaching for a snack.
- Choose whole foods whenever possible. If you eat processed or packaged foods, choose one meal type and focus on choosing whole foods for that category. Breakfast and snacks are a great place to start. After a few weeks, choose another area to focus on. Over time, you can build new habits with these bite-sized changes.
- Do some kind of movement for at least 30 minutes 3-5 days a week. Between time at a desk, in the car, and on the sofa, it can be easy to lose track of how much time we sit through our days. Our bodies, however, were made to move! If this is a new goal for you, commit to getting out for a morning or afternoon walk. If you already do that, maybe this is the year to incorporate resistance training or add in some higher intensity exercise.
- Get outside at least 30 minutes each day. Recent studies show that time outside has many benefits, including reducing stress, boosting the immune system, and increasing energy. Incorporate this into your routine by having your lunch al fresco, pursuing your movement goal (#4) outside, or catching up with a friend in the great outdoors.
Wishing you a 2024 filled with health and vitality!
The information presented in this article should not be used to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or condition. It is intended for educational purposes only.
About Jennifer Meadows
Jennifer Meadows helps people feel their best through targeted nutritional therapy at Deeply Rooted Nutritional Therapy. She uses testing alongside consults to identify imbalances and deficiencies, develops customized plans, and provides ongoing support to help clients reach their health goals. Visit her website at www.deeplyrootednutritionaltherapy.com to learn more.
