As the year comes to an end, it’s an opportunity for us to start looking forward to the new year and what it might hold for us. New year represents a new start in many ways, helping us wipe the slate clean and start afresh with many aspects of our lives. As such, many people will make a new year’s resolution, which typically means making a promise to change something about their life in the coming 12 months.
One of the best ways to make the most of this opportunity is to set yourself healthy targets to help you get in better shape. In this article, we look at how you should go about setting health goals for new year, and beyond.
Plan a Healthy Diet
Diet is one of the most important factors behind good health. A healthy diet can help prevent obesity, strengthen your immune system, and improve your well-being overall. And you will find it much easier to eat a healthy diet if you plan it out first.
When planning a diet, it’s important to add a variety of dishes to be sure you get all the vitamins and minerals that you need. It’s best to include plenty of fruit and veg, but that doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself or that you have to stick to a strictly healthy diet. For most people, focusing on eating meals made from fresh ingredients to ensure they’re getting plenty of good-quality nutrition will make a big difference.
Plan More Activities
Being active will help to get your heart and lungs moving as well as helping to keep your muscles strong and your joints in good condition. If you are not an active person, then you might be relieved to know that only moderate exercise can make a considerable difference.
In some cases, just taking the dog for a brief walk each day is all it takes. Of course, if you are already in good shape, you can consider setting new targets and push yourself harder.
One of the best things about taking part in activities is that they can be fun or relaxing, depending on which activities you choose. Getting active is also an opportunity to meet new people, which could potentially lead to long-term friendships. Taking part in activities with other people will also help to keep your mental health strong and healthy, which is essential for good physical health.
Target Bad Habits
Many of us have bad habits that we can kick out of our lives to help make us healthier. Drinkers and smokers in particular can make a huge impact by quitting, or at least limiting, how much they drink or smoke. For other people, bad habits might include eating junk food too often or maybe driving to the shops instead of walking.
In many cases, it’s best to start with just one bad habit. Once you’ve nailed that, you can move on to the next one, gradually progressing. If you keep on going then, in time, you will have cut out enough bad habits to make a positive contribution to your overall health.
Keep a Diary
When getting yourself in shape, it’s a good idea to keep a diary of what you eat and which activities you take part in. You can also use this diary to record your waistline, weight, and other metrics that can help determine your progress.
By keeping a diary, it can become easier to see what is working well for you and what isn’t. Keeping records can also help make it easier for you to see how you are progressing, giving you the motivation to keep on going. You can also try putting your data in a chart, which will help you see your improvements at a glance.
Keep Well Rested
It is essential that you get plenty of rest in order to stay healthy. For one thing, getting enough sleep will help you feel fresh and help keep your immune system strong. Not only that, but you should also be sure to let your mind rest as well. This can mean anything from stopping long hours at the office to taking days out to spend with friends and family.
Keeping well rested can also include treating yourself to the occasional massage or maybe even osteopathy sessions that help keep you feeling invigorated. Regardless, keeping your mind and body well-rested will not only help your immune system but can also help you maintain good mental health. When you’re in good mental and physical help, you will feel ready to take on whatever life throws at you.
Be Realistic
One of the most common reasons why people give up on their health targets is their disappointment at their lack of progress. But it’s often not that they’re not progressing, but rather that they’re judging their progress by unreasonable targets.
When setting your goals, it’s important to be realistic and understand that it’s a long-term undertaking. Set yourself goals for gradual improvement, and each small amount of improvement will accumulate into a fitter, healthier and happier you. Also remember that overdoing it can potentially lead to injury or other health issues, so don’t push yourself too hard.
Summary
Above are some of the most effective ways you can set healthy goals for the new year. You don’t have to overdo it, and nobody expects you to become an athlete in a few weeks. However, provided you set realistic goals and monitor your progress, there’s no reason why you can’t be a lot fitter at the end of the year.
