Kick-Start Your Resolutions: How To Get Healthy Before The New Year

Many people start thinking about lifestyle changes after the holidays, with most making a New Year's resolution to get fit. Although the temptation of holiday treats can make it seem impossible to stick with a healthy diet, you don't have to wait until January 1st to make changes that greatly impact your body. Follow these tips to kick-start your New Year's resolution while still enjoying all of the delights the holiday season has to offer.

1. Hydrate your body. One of the easiest changes you can make is to drink more water. It doesn't cost you a thing and can make a huge impact on your overall health. Not only is water better for you than sugary beverages, it also moisturizes the entire body which is a necessity during the dry winter months. Not drinking enough water can lead to cracked, painful skin and sore nasal passages which makes you more susceptible to cold and flu viruses. Make sure you are getting at least 64 ounces of water per day.

2. Limit sweets. This may seem like a difficult task when there are so many delicious, sugary treats available during the holidays, but you can still enjoy those cut-out cookies while staying healthy. Everything in moderation is a great motto to live by. Instead of eating several sweets throughout the day, choose one, small treat at lunchtime to delight in. Oftentimes, people will save sweets for the end of the day, but that's actually the worst time to eat them. Consuming a small treat in the middle of the day will give you time to burn off the extra calories before bedtime.

3. Increase your steps. If you don't have time to work out every day, or you aren't quite sure yet if you want to join a gym, try to walk more. Active people are more likely to maintain a healthy weight than those that sit throughout the day. Get those steps in while doing your holiday shopping or consider investing in a standing desk while working. Track your steps with a pedometer or walking app that is easily downloaded to your mobile phone. Ten thousand steps a day is a great goal, but try pushing yourself even further by reaching 12,000 steps daily.

4. Make sleep a priority. As we get older, we start valuing the importance of sleep less and less. As children we are taught to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night, but on average adults get less than 7 hours of shut-eye. Sleep deprivation can weaken the immune system, make you less focused, and even cause weight gain. To help you reach your daily goal of 8 hours, unplug from your devices at least one hour before bedtime to give your body a chance to relax.

Being healthy should be a life-long resolution, not just one that is made at the start of the new year. Invest in your health by making yourself a priority this holiday season.

Kick-Start Your Resolutions: How To Get Healthy Before The New Year

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