New Year New You – Resolutions Worth Keeping In 2024!

The new year is a time for fresh starts and resolutions. Are you looking to set healthy goals and resolutions for the New Year? Here are the 12 best healthy New Years' resolutions that will set you up for success in the New Year!

Starting fresh in a new year is extremely exciting and if you’re anything like me you want to set some New Years' resolutions that focus on your wellness and health! Whether you want to live a healthier lifestyle, exercise more, or even save more money, there are many ways in which we can have a healthy new year in 2024.

You are going to learn about the 12 best healthy new years resolutions and tips to achieve them! 

After learning about all of these healthy New Years resolutions you are  going to be ready to start the new year right. In this blog post we will share 12 of our favorite healthy resolutions that anyone can work towards achieving in 2024!

This post is all about healthy new years resolutions!

Make healthy food a priority

Healthy food is an essential part of any healthy lifestyle. One reason people give for not eating healthy is that they are too busy and it's just easier to go through a drive-through or grab a premade meal.

The problem with that is the foods while they taste delicious are often high in calories, saturated fat and sodium. While they satisfy us in the moment, they lead to weight gain, bloating, and an overall feeling that you are not doing the best for your body.

Fortunately, there are many healthy recipes that you can make with vegetables, beans, lentils, whole grains, healthy oils and healthy fats. By making healthy food a priority in your diet, you will consume less sugar and unhealthy foods which will help you have a healthy lifestyle.

The main thing that this requires is a little planning ahead. If you know that you are going to be busy on a certain day, make sure to plan ahead and cook something healthy that you can take with you. There are plenty of healthy recipes for quick and easy meals that you can find online. You can also make a healthy meal plan for the week or month, so you have a variety of healthy options to choose from.

Get more sleep

Sleep is a healthy habit that many of us do not prioritize. We often find ourselves going to bed later, or waking up earlier than we need to because we are too busy. The result of this lack of sleep is terrible for our health and well-being, making it difficult to focus at work, healthy eating habits and mood.

For women, especially those of us over 40, lack of sleep can lead to weight gain by raising our cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone that is released when we do not get enough sleep. It can cause us to store more fat, have less energy and crave unhealthy foods. So getting more sleep is a boost to our health and our waistline!

So, how can we make sure that we are getting enough sleep? The National Sleep Foundation recommends 8 hours of sleep per night for adults. 

You can also keep a journal to track your sleep.  One of my favorite features of my Fitbit Sense is that I can monitor my sleep quality and duration of sleep each night. It even gives me a sleep score to show how well I slept each night. This has been a great way to motivate me to get more sleep because I want to see that score improve over time!

Drink less alcohol or (eliminate completely)

In the era of healthy living, it is important to make healthy choices. For most people, this means eating healthy food and exercising. But what about socializing? One common habit that many people have in their downtime is drinking alcohol. Alcohol can seem like a healthy choice because it's socially acceptable and doesn't involve any exercise or calorie counting. However, there are some serious health risks associated with drinking alcohol that should be considered before you take your next sip!

One of the biggest issues with drinking alcohol is that it has calories - even if you drink diet soda while you're out at the bar or club. And those calories aren't just empty ones either; they contribute to weight gain which can lead to obesity-related diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

In 2020, I significantly reduced my alcohol intake. I had gotten into the habit of having a couple glasses of wine - sometimes even more - every night! Once I cut out the wine, I lose over 20 pounds, my sleep greatly improved, and so did my mood and general outlook!

In addition, alcohol can affect your ability to make healthy choices in general. You may eat more food than you want or need because of the high calorie content that is associated with drinking a lot of alcohol throughout the year. Plus, many people who drink tend to not get enough sleep and exercise which leads them down a path of poor health choices.

Alcohol is a depressant and can have negative effects on your mental health. This means that drinking alcohol can make depression worse, lead to anxiety, and even cause suicidal thoughts.

Alcohol can also have a negative effect on our relationships with others. When we are drinking, we may say or do things that we wouldn't normally say or do. This can lead to fights with our friends and loved ones, and even cause rifts in our relationships.

In addition, drinking can often lead to embarrassing situations. You may end up making a fool of yourself or doing something that you regret the next day. This is definitely not the way to start off the new year!

In 2020, I significantly reduced my alcohol intake. I had gotten into the habit of having a couple of glasses of wine - sometimes even more - every night! Once I cut out the wine, I lost over 20 pounds, my sleep greatly improved, and so did my mood and general outlook!

There are many reasons why it is important to reduce or eliminate alcohol from your life in order to have a healthy new year. So make a resolution to drink less (or no) alcohol this year and see how better you feel!

So, what can you do to make healthy changes in your drinking habits?

If you are interested in trying a 30 day no alcohol experiment, I HIGHLY recommend reading and following the Alcohol Experiment by Annie Grace. She has book and a free 30 day program. I read the book and followed the program and by the end of the 30 days, I was no longer drinking my nightly wine. She is really engaging and provides scientific research regarding the effects of alcohol.

Exercise regularly

One of the most popular resolutions is to exercise more. And there are so many reasons why this is a good resolution to make. Exercise releases endorphins which can make us feel happy and help to reduce stress. It can also improve our mood, help us sleep better, and give us more energy.

Regular exercise is one of the best things we can do for our health! It can help to prevent many chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, type II diabetes, and cancer. In addition, it can help to control weight, increase bone density, and improve our mental health.

There are so many reasons to start exercising regularly in 2024, and I think it is one of the best New Years healthy tips!

- Try a new type of exercise or sport

If you are bored with your current routine, try switching things up this year! If the treadmill has become the dreadmill try these treadmill alternatives to mix things up!  There are so many different types of exercise and sports to try. If you are not sure where to start, ask a friend or do some research online.

If you are someone who enjoys group activities, try joining a team sport like soccer, basketball, or volleyball. Or join a dance class at your local gym or community center.

If you prefer to exercise solo, try a new type of workout like Pilates, barre class, or spin. There are also many great fitness apps that can help you get started.

If you are interested in working out at home, look into a Peloton bike. Peloton is my absolute favorite way to workout!! In fact, it really is more than an exercise bike it is a community and lifestyle! If you are wondering if a Peloton bike might be right for you, read my Peloton review here!

Whatever you decide to do, make sure it is something that you will enjoy and that you will stick with!

Meditate, give gratitude, or pray daily to reduce stress and anxiety

In 2022, I was able to reduce my stress and anxiety by meditating daily. Initially, I didn't know how to meditate but found a few YouTube videos that were really helpful.

Also, both my Fitbit Premium subscription and my Peloton app have meditation sessions. These are great because they have both short and long sessions. If I am having a stressful day at the office, I can just pop in my air pods and close my door for a quick five-minute session. Or, I can do a little longer session before bed or first thing in the morning.

After about a week of practicing this technique every day, the benefits started showing up! My focus improved which led to better productivity at work. My mood also got better as my stress decreased. Plus, I had more energy and felt happier overall! The changes were so noticeable that everyone noticed too - friends and family complimented me on my new healthy lifestyle choices with a healthy diet and regular exercise routine they saw from my posts on social media!

No matter what you choose to do, it is important to take some time each day to focus on something positive outside of ourselves. This could be meditation, prayer, or simply giving thanks for the good things in our lives. Doing this can help us to reduce stress and anxiety and make us happier overall.

Quit smoking, chewing tobacco, vaping or using other forms of nicotine products

Quitting smoking, chewing tobacco, vaping or using other forms of nicotine products can have a significant impact on your health. The prevalence of these substances is alarmingly high in the US and around the world. In fact, it's been found that 19% of adults around the world smoke and more than 14% use some form of tobacco.

And while quitting may seem difficult to do for many people, here are some tips to help you break the habit:

If you are ready to quit, then go cold turkey! This means that you will completely stop using the substance all at once. This can be difficult for some people, but it is the most effective way to quit.

Make a plan

If going cold turkey seems too difficult, then try making a plan. This could involve slowly reducing the amount of nicotine you are using each day or week. This will make quitting easier and can help to avoid any symptoms of withdrawal.

Get help from a friend or family member

If you need some extra support, ask a friend or family member to help you quit. They can provide moral support and encouragement and may even be able to give you helpful tips.

Use Nicorette gum or the patchProblem: Quitting smoking is hard, Nicorette gum or patches are healthy alternatives for people who want to quit smoking or chewing tobacco. These products help with withdrawal symptoms by providing nicotine without the other harmful chemicals found in cigarettes and chewing tobacco.

Nicorette gum contains 2mg of nicotine per piece, while Nicorette patch provides 21 mg/day over 24 hours (equivalent to one pack of cigarettes). The gum has an estimated 3-month supply for $35-$40, while the patch has about 6 months

Chew regular gum to keep your mouth occupied and feeling clean

Quitting smoking can be difficult, but it's definitely not impossible. In fact, there are a lot of things you can do to make the process easier. For example, you could take up a new hobby to focus your attention on something other than smoking. This could be something like painting, hiking, biking, or playing a sport. Anything that gets you moving and keeps you busy will be helpful in quitting smoking.

You will want to surround yourself with the right people that can cheer you on and provide encouragement during this process. It might be friends or family members who can really understand your struggle and help push you towards success! Or it might simply someone who has quit smoking themselves and understands all of the stressful emotions that accompany addiction withdrawal like cravings, irritability, or depression. Everyone's reasons for wanting to break the habit are different but finding someone who understands how hard it can really be makes all the difference.

Switch to a plant based diet

Before you start your healthy New Year resolutions, it’s important to take care of some health issues that may be keeping you from living a healthy lifestyle. One common issue is the consumption of animal products that are high in fat and cholesterol.

The good news is there are so many great alternatives out there! With healthy plant based diets, you will get all of the nutrients without consuming too much saturated fats or cholesterol. Plant based foods also provide plenty of fiber which helps with digestion and weight loss. And if this isn't enough to convince you, then think about how delicious healthy vegan food can be!

In my opinion (and the opinions of many doctors and scientists!) a plant based diet is the healthiest diet for us especially as we age. If you want to learn more about all the health benefits of switching to a plant based diet, read my article:  11 Life Changing Benefits of Switching to a Plant Based Diet

Cut out processed foods and sugary drinks

It’s healthy to eat healthy. It’s healthy to drink healthy. If you are looking for some New Years resolutions that are easy, healthy, and guaranteed to help you feel better in the new year then there are a few changes that can make your life an awful lot easier when it comes to food and drinks!

When I say “processed foods” I mean items like candy, chips, all sorts, packaged foods, most canned soups (unless they have low sodium), frozen dinners with more than 5 grams of fat per serving (check the label), desserts made with refined sugar or high fructose corn syrup. And sugary drinks include fizzy drinks, fruit juices (even 100% juice), energy drinks, and yes – even milk.

It’s not hard to cut out processed foods and sugary drinks when you make a commitment to do so. It will take some effort in the beginning as your body detoxes from all of the sugar and junk, but it is SO worth it!

Promising yourself that you will do something healthy is a great way to kick off the new year and really get your healthy New Years resolutions started. What healthy things can you promise yourself? Maybe:

• to stop drinking soda every day, or drink only water instead of soda (or both).
• eat mainly whole foods that do not come out of a package

Eating whole foods is one of the healthiest things that you can do for your body, and it’s a New Years resolution that is easy to keep! All you have to do is commit to eating more whole foods and less processed foods. It really is that simple.

When you go grocery shopping, make sure to shop the corners of the store. The packaged items are in the middle. This will help you avoid processed foods and sugary drinks.

When you make healthy food choices then your body will thank you. Not only will you feel better physically, but you’ll also have more energy and brighter skin. Believe me – I’ve seen the difference healthy food choices can make, and it’s amazing!

Drink More Water

Staying hydrated is one of the best things you can do for your health. Water can help you feel better, live longer, and even lose weight.

Here are some ways that drinking enough water can improve your health:

- Water will make it easier for your body to detoxify itself because the kidneys need water in order to work properly. Drinking more water means that you’ll be flushing out toxins from your system faster which will leave you feeling refreshed and healthy after only a few days! Plus when you don’t drink enough fluids, the toxins have nowhere else to go but into different parts of your body where they cause all sorts of problems like headaches or bloating, so it really does pay off in the end!

Water makes it easier to stay on your diet and lose weight If you are trying to lose weight, then drinking plenty of water every day will make it much easier. Water makes it easier to stay on your diet and lose weight because when your body gets dehydrated then it holds onto unnecessary water which just makes losing weight that much harder.

It is recommended that you drink a minimum of half your body weight in ounces of water each day. For a 150 pound person, this would mean approximately 75 ounces of water each day. I actually try to drink 100 ounces a day and it has helped to clear up my skin and help me stay on my diet by keeping me full longer.

Another benefit of drinking plenty of water every day is that it helps to regulate your body temperature. When you sweat, the water in your system evaporates and helps to cool you down. So, if you’re doing a lot of physical activity or it’s hot outside, make sure you drink plenty of water to keep yourself healthy and cool.

Drinking enough water every day will also make it easier for your body to process waste properly, which means that you’ll be less likely to experience uncomfortable or painful bowel movements like constipation

Try setting a goal to drink half your body weight in ounces of water.

Buy a water bottle that will help you reach this goal. My favorite is my 30 ounce Yetti. It keeps my water cool througout the day and I know that I only have to fill this 3.5 times to reach my water goal for the day.

Use an app to track your water intake during the day. It is easy to lose track of how much water you drink as you are going about your busy day. I use my app for my Fitbit to quickly track my water each day. Each time that I finish my water bottle, I just log 30 ounces in my app and I am able to make sure that I am on track to meet my goals each day. If you don't have a fitbit you can search for water tracking apps in the app store. My friend's teenager loves the one that grows a flower as you water it throughout the day.

Stay active throughout the day

Being healthy can be difficult to maintain when you don't have the time or energy to get up and move around. It's easy for busy days to fly by without even realizing that you didn't take a break from your desk chair. However, it is important to remember that staying active throughout the day has many health benefits.

Sitting for long periods of time has been linked to many health problems, such as obesity, heart disease, and cancer. Even if you are active for the other 23 hours of the day, sitting for long periods of time can cancel out all of your good habits.

There are many ways to stay active throughout the day, even if you don't have a lot of time. Here are a few ideas:

• Take a walk during your break at work.
• Park further away from the store when you go shopping.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Dance around your house while you're doing chores.
• Get up and move every hour when you're working from home.
• Or My favorite: Use a treadmill desk at work and keep active all day long (check out my article about losing weight with a treadmill desk here)

Spend less time on social media 

The World Wide Web has given us the magical ability to connect with people we otherwise would never have met. And that's a good thing, right? Sure--if you're using social media for healthy reasons. But what are healthy reasons? Let me explain.

The first healthy reason is that it can be an excellent way to stay in touch with loved ones who live far away from you or even those who live close by but are unable to visit often due to busy schedules or other obligations. It can provide a kind of emotional connection that was not possible before this technology existed, making it easier for family members separated by distance or time zones to feel connected on a daily basis. This is healthy because emotional connection is healthy and healthy relationships can lead to a healthy lifestyle.

But being on social media too often or for too long can be unhealthy. Social media can be addictive, and it can be easy to spend hours on end looking at posts, scrolling through newsfeeds, and chatting with friends. This kind of excessive use can lead to problems such as FOMO (fear of missing out), depression, and anxiety.

It can also lead to negative interactions with people you barely know. Sometimes what seems like a harmless joke or comment can attract unwanted negative interactions. It's important to find a healthy balance when it comes to using social media.

Try limiting yourself to a certain amount of time on social media each day. You can even set your screen time if you have an iphone so that after you have been on the social media apps for your scheduled time it won't let you access them again until the next day.

You may be surprised to find how much time you were wasting on social media and now have time for healthy activities such as:

Reading

Painting

Cooking

Spending time with friends (in real life)

Commit to a healthy diet for the entire year, not just January

Most people who don't succeed with their resolutions are committed to big changes, go big for a week or two, then revert to their old ways before January is over

Breaking healthy New Years' resolutions into manageable sub-goals and sticking with them for the entire year can give you a healthy lifestyle that lasts. Commit to eating healthy for an entire year rather than just a few weeks. This will help you stay consistent and will likely bring you the change you are looking for.

Healthy eating is not a resolution that you keep for a week or two and then forget about. healthy eating is a lifestyle change that you commit to for the entire year. This will help you stay consistent and you will look and feel better when next January rolls around!

Addressing Challenges to Achieving Healthy New Year's goals

Overcoming Common Obstacles

Achieving New Year's resolutions, especially health-related ones, often involves overcoming various challenges. Here are some common obstacles and strategies to tackle them:

Busy Schedules:

• Strategy: Plan and Prioritize
  • Details: Utilize a planner or a digital calendar to schedule your health activities like workouts, meal prep, or meditation sessions. Treat these activities with the same importance as any other appointment.
  • Example: If you plan to exercise, schedule it during times you’re least likely to be interrupted, like early mornings or during lunch breaks.

Lack of Motivation:

• Strategy: Set Smaller, Achievable Goals
  • Details: Break down your resolutions into smaller, more manageable goals. Achieving these smaller milestones can provide a sense of accomplishment and keep you motivated.
  • Example: If your goal is to run a 5k, start by jogging short distances and gradually increase your target.

Leveraging a Support Network

A strong support system can significantly increase your chances of sticking to your New Year's resolutions. Here's how to build and utilize this network:

Family and Friends:

• Engage them in your activities: Share your goals with your loved ones and invite them to join you in your health journey. For example, plan a family hiking trip or a healthy meal-cooking session with friends.
• Seek their encouragement: Regularly update them about your progress and celebrate milestones together.

1. Online Communities and Groups:
   • Join relevant groups: There are numerous online forums and social media groups dedicated to specific health goals like weight loss, running, yoga, etc. These platforms can provide tips, motivation, and a sense of belonging.
   • Participate in challenges: Many of these groups hold regular challenges that can add an element of fun and competition to your efforts.
2. Professional Support:
   • Consider a coach or a mentor: For specific goals, like weight loss or training for a marathon, working with a professional can provide personalized guidance and keep you accountable.
   • Utilize workplace wellness programs: If your employer offers wellness programs or gym memberships, take advantage of these resources.

Creating a Personalized Approach

Every individual faces unique challenges and has different support needs. Here are some steps to create a personalized approach:

1. Identify Your Specific Challenges: Reflect on what has hindered your progress in the past. Is it time management, a lack of knowledge, or something else?
2. Develop Tailored Strategies: Based on your specific challenges, devise strategies that work for you. If time management is an issue, perhaps meal prepping on weekends can save time during the week.
3. Build Your Support System: Identify who in your circle can best support your goals. It might be a fitness-savvy friend for workout advice or a family member for emotional support.

Conclusion

The healthy new years resolutions we’ve shared today may be just what you need to start the year off on a healthy note. Focusing your goals and efforts for at least 12 months will help you stick with healthy eating habits, find time for exercise (even if it's only 10 minutes every hour), or make other lifestyle changes that can lead to lasting results. Let me know how these healthy resolutions work out or if you have some of your own!

This post was all about healthy New Years resolutions!