Need a little healthy resolve?

A brand new year is just around the corner and many of us are thinking about the things we’d like to change in 2006. This year, consider making a healthy New Year’s resolution and keep some of the following ideas in mind to help you achieve your goals.

Evaluate why you want to change and then write specific and achievable resolutions that can also be viewed as gifts to yourself and your family such as, “I will give myself and my family the gift of a healthier lifestyle this year.”

The key to attaining better health is developing a strategy to incorporate simple, healthy decisions into your daily life. If your goal is 30 minutes of physical activity each day, break it up into 10 minute sessions. Go for a walk at lunch and take the stairs instead of the elevator. Add a few more steps each day by parking at the far end of the lot at work, and always wear your seatbelt.

Phrase your resolutions as things “to do,” instead of “what not to do.” For example, in place of, “Stop eating junk food,” use “I will eat 5 servings of fruit and vegetables every day,” or “I will eat a healthy breakfast each morning.” Try to include color in every meal in the form of fruits and vegetables which add vital nutrients to your diet, and keep water at your desk to sip throughout the day.

Remember, if your goal of getting healthy gets off track through the year, begin fresh the next day. It’s never too late to start!

Making a healthy New Year’s resolution is a personal choice. No matter what you choose, TOPS can support you with products and services to help you reach your goals.