It’s a new year with new resolutions. How many times have you said, “this is the year I will exercise every day,” or “I will finally lose those last 15 pounds.”As January arrives, part of me is celebrating the New Year’s resolution health craze. Finally–we care about nutrition, fitness and a healthy lifestyle again.
According to a 2012 study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology¸ 45 percent of Americans usually make a New Year’s resolution, with weight loss, fitness and health ranking as first and fifth, respectively.
While I look forward to January’s resolutions each year, part of me is concerned that this short-term focus on health is more harmful than helpful. However well-intentioned these resolutions are, they can be challenging to maintain, as evidenced by only 46 percent of Americans sticking to their resolution past the six-month mark.
As soon as Valentine’s Day arrives, most of our New Year’s resolve is forgotten or shoved out of our consciousness. That is, until spring break looms around the corner.
So what is the end result of our well-intentioned resolutions and goals? What if, instead of obsessing about a number, like body weight or calories, we started getting real about our health.
Imagine measuring your health by physical and mental wellbeing, instead of a number on a scale.
Envision approaching every meal or situation involving food with pleasure, instead of dread or guilt. Imagine eating what you want to eat when you are hungry and feeling completely satisfied. We are all born with the innate ability to eat intuitively, but somewhere in life the focus on hunger and satiety shifts to the latest diet or fitness fad.
My New Year’s challenge to you is simple: become the expert of your own body. This means accepting yourself totally and completely, getting back in touch with real biological hunger and fullness and finding pleasure in eating and physical activity. Instead of eating what you think you should be eating, find a balanced way to eat the foods you love. Rather than pushing yourself to stick with an exercise routine, find a sport or physical activity that you enjoy.
When you find true enjoyment, then these are lifestyle changes that you can commit to. Resolve to discover what moves you towards a healthier and happier 2013.
As the Campus Dietitian, Marissa Lucas, RD, LD provides nutritional counseling for students. To schedule an appointment call 208-885-6717 or e-mail [email protected].
For more information on nutrition, check out the Vandal Nutrition blog: www.uidaho.edu/vandalnutrition