Making and Keeping New Year's Resolutions

Whether it’s a New Year’s resolution to lose weight or make going to the gym a regular habit, most people start strong when trying to make healthy lifestyle changes but lose steam after a few weeks, falling back into old habits. Jana Wolff, RDN, LDN, Director of Nutrition at GBMC’s Comprehensive Obesity Management Program shared her advice on how to set attainable goals and stick with them so you can be healthier.

“Most people start with lofty, vague goals like ‘I want to lose weight’ or ‘I want to be healthier,’ but to achieve a goal you need to first lay out a series of smaller steps that will help you work towards your larger goal,” Jana explained. “It takes at least 30 days to build a new habit, but it’s hard to get to that point without support. To help you stick with the changes you’re making, look for friends who are living or working toward a healthy lifestyle to support you. You can also find support, encouragement, and ideas to keep you motivated on social media.”

While there are many different diets out there, Jana warned that most aren’t eating plans you can sustain for a lifetime. “The only eating plan that works is one you can stick with for the long term,” she said. “You should strive to have a healthy, balanced plate at each meal, with half the plate filled with non-starchy veggies and fruits, lean proteins, and healthy, whole grains.”

And though dropping five pounds in a week may make you feel like you’re accomplishing your goals, what’s really happening is that you’re losing water and muscle. Enduring weight loss is a slower process and helps you build healthy eating habits that will help you keep the weight off for years to come.

A dietitian can be a great ally as you embark on your new path. Together you can set goals, learn about nutrition, make progress towards a healthier you. “I tell patients that every meal doesn’t have to be a party,” added Jana. “Your goal is to eat healthy foods that you enjoy and eat until you feel satisfied, not overfull. It’s not exciting, but it works.”