With the beginning of a new year, many have embarked on new journeys and are trying to achieve their New Year’s Resolutions.  Common goals are to exercise more often, study harder, or eat healthier.  People use New Year’s Resolutions as a way to cleanse themselves of past bad habits and establish new practices. 

Creating a New Year’s Resolution is an activity that many people plan prior to the new year and then initiate on Jan. 1.  The rationale behind these goals is that people wish to take control and change for the better.  Although many people have the opportunity to alter their routines throughout the year, many view the New Year as a “reset” button; they wish to also change the habits in their life that they do not particularly like.

“I want to try to eat healthier and exercise more often in order to receive many health benefits, such as being in better shape and obtaining a better immune system,” said junior Layla Hershkowitz.

Obtaining a healthy lifestyle is a very common goal, especially as we fight through the flu season and COVID pandemic.  Having a healthy lifestyle is vital in building up one’s immunity.  Despite this being a prevalent goal for people at the beginning of the year, many are unsure how to attack the challenge.  

An issue with New Year’s Resolutions is that most take an “all or nothing” approach, which is typically ineffective, as one’s motivation to maintain the healthy lifestyle decreases immensely as the weeks carry on.  It has been proven over and over by researchers that it is far more productive and effective to implement small lifestyle changes over time, thus leading to a healthy lifestyle, not just a period of healthiness.

“Big behavior changes require a high level of motivation that often can’t be sustained.  I suggest starting with tiny habits to make the new habit as easy as possible in the beginning,” said B.J. Fogg, a Stanford University researcher and author of the book Tiny Habits.

The first step in achieving a healthy lifestyle is to make cleaner food choices over time, prioritizing fruits and vegetables.  This does not mean to cut out all unhealthy foods entirely, as that is unsustainable.  It is important to include foods, such as whole grains, vegetables, and protein, in a majority of meals because they provide significant health and immunity benefits.  It is also equally critical to eat enough to nourish the body and provide energy for one to exercise and complete the tasks demanded of them.  

“By ensuring that I include a bigger variety of these foods in my diet, I feel that I can definitely accomplish my goal of maintaining a healthier lifestyle,” said junior Eliana Salloum. 

Even though some people do not enjoy fruits and vegetables, having a healthy lifestyle starts with the diet.  A way to include these superfoods into your diet is by adding spinach and fruit into a daily smoothie. Another way to approach diversifying one’s diet is by slowly adding small portions of foods that you dislike, but are healthy, to your meals in order to expand your palate and find a preparation that you enjoy.  Furthermore, you can make eating healthy fun by attempting to incorporate cuisines rich in nutrients and abundant in flavor.  Eating cleaner can greatly affect the body and the brain to help you succeed on your goals. 

“Exercising more often is definitely a goal I want to achieve this year, as I love to stay in shape and feel healthy,” said junior Chloe Weshler.

Exercising is another crucial component when it comes to achieving a healthy lifestyle.  For those who need a simple way to begin, go on long walks or jogs to build stamina.  In doing this, one’s athleticism will eventually increase immensely.  For those who have a history of disliking exercise, try new activities.  Some exciting and viable options include HIIT workouts, yoga, and pilates.  By exploring these options and others, the world of exercise may even become enjoyable, appealing, and relaxing.  

New Year’s Resolutions are achievable if one goes about their goals in a gradual, patient, and smart way.