Four Easy New Year’s Resolutions
With a new year comes New Year’s resolutions. It’s a chance to start fresh and to shake the previous year off. Did you know some of the most popular new year’s resolutions are centered around health and fitness? Many of us make goals around the idea of losing weight or getting fit, only to start off strong and crash mid-way through February. This year, we’re challenging you to follow our favorite top four easy New Year’s resolutions that you can stick to all year long. We know you can do it!
1. Get plenty of sleep
Do you get enough sleep each night? Sleep affects so many different components of your body, including weight, metabolism, brainpower, and your overall mood. Sleep can also affect your hormone balance, which is why you might be inclined to snack more frequently when you’re tired. Health professionals recommend adults get about 7-9 hours of sleep a night. Here are some tips for getting enough sleep at night:
- Reduce caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine in the evening.
- Avoid electronic devices such as TVs, computers, and phones at least 30 minutes before bed.
- Read a book or listen to some calming music while in bed.
- Create a cozy atmosphere with your favorite bedding to help trigger your brain that it’s time for bed.
2. Drink water daily
Water intake is another key component when it comes to health and wellness. Growing up, you may have heard “the 8×8 rule,” which says that you should drink eight 8-oz glasses of water a day. This is a good starting point and can be very easy to accomplish! However, you may need to drink more water if you live in a water climate, drink a heavy amount of caffeinated beverages, or are an athlete. Another good way to measure how much water to drink is to measure out half your body weight in ounces of water. For example, an adult who weighs 150 lbs would want to drink 75 ounces of water a day.
To make drinking water fun, add in a squeeze of lemon or lime juice and buy yourself a water bottle you know you’ll love. We recommend stainless steel Camelbak water bottles since they’ll help keep your water cool and the bite valve makes it easy to stay hydrated on the go.
3. Eat vegetables with every meal
One of our favorite New Year’s resolutions is to eat healthier. At Sidewalk Chef Kitchen, we make it so delicious, you won’t believe how easy it is. Vegetables are a staple in our daily Fresh Express, our Heat & Eat prepared meals, and on our catering menu. Since vegetables are naturally low and fat and calories and void of cholesterol, you can’t go wrong with a good 1-3 cups of vegetables a day. When you incorporate them into breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you’ve likely already achieved your goal! You can learn more about the benefits of vegetables here.
4. Exercise regularly
In the past, you may have made resolutions to work out every day or lose so many pounds in a given timeframe. We know that these goals, no matter how exciting they may be, may have not been sustainable. Instead, focus on getting at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. It can be whatever you want, too! Daily exercise can include:
- Lifting weights
- Running
- Biking
- Yoga
Or, it can even be just going for a half-hour walk with your dog. Anything that gets your body moving is a great choice!