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Sonoma Family Life Magazine

Make Those New Year's Resolutions Stick!

“Many of us start our New Year’s resolutions only to break them shortly thereafter. Given that eating better and losing weight are among the top ten most common New Year’s resolutions.”

Here are five ways to give your nutrition resolutions some staying power.

1. BE SPECIFIC

By simply making a resolution to “eat better” or “lose weight” we set ourselves up for failure. Set a smaller, more specific goal such as walking one mile a day or eating two servings of fruit each day.

2. BE REALISTIC

Set goals that are attainable. Rather than aiming for a weight loss of 50 pounds, start with a more appropriate goal of losing one or two pounds a week. If you’re trying to change your eating habits, set one small goal at a time such as switching from whole milk to almond milk rather than trying to overhaul your entire diet on January 1st.

3. KEEP A LOG

Whether you’re trying to eat less or exercise more, tracking your habits is one of the most effective ways to be successful at changing them. Take advantage of free resources to log your food intake/exercise/weight goals such as www.loseit.com, www.myfitnesspal.com or www.thedailyplate.com

4. BE POSITIVE

Breaking unhealthy habits is hard enough; don’t make it more difficult by putting a negative spin on your bad behavior. Instead of resolving to “never eat candy again”, replace that habit with a healthier one such as “pack healthy snacks to take to work each day”.

5. GET SUPPORT

Tell your friends family and coworkers about your goals.  Try an online motivating site such as www.stickk.com to hold yourself accountable by making New Year’s resolutions public.


Ukiah Valley Medical Center Registered Dietitian Annie Dogali has shared these helpful tips to make those resolutions stick. For more information visit www.uvmc.org. Dogali can be reached at 707-463-7340.