By Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD 

The beginning of a new year often brings a “fresh start” feeling and a renewed inspiration to reach your goals. 

It’s a great time to capitalize on this energy and make strides towards improving your health. But instead of setting unrealistic “resolutions,” work on creating daily habits that stick. 

Here is our list of habits that can help you feel like a “new and improved you” in 2020. 

1 – Start your day with a glass of water. 

Staying hydrated is an important aspect of staying healthy and losing weight, but it can be difficult to get into the habit of drinking enough water. Try starting your day with a tall glass of water before your morning coffee or tea. This habit may just help you drink more water throughout the whole day. 

2 – Incorporate an evening walk a few times a week. 

Getting out of the house or office for a stroll in the fresh air can do wonders for both your body and mind! Work towards getting in the habit of walking in the evenings by drawing out a route in your neighborhood and asking a friend to go with you. 

3 – Snack on fruit. 

Fruit is full of fiber, naturally sweet, and downright delicious, so why not eat more of it in the new year? Grab a handful of berries or grapes for your afternoon snack, and add some nuts or a hard-boiled egg for some healthy protein. You’ll feel more energized to take on the rest of your day!  

4 – Try a new vegetable every month. 

Eating more veggies is one of the most widespread nutrition tips. But oftentimes, it’s easier said than done. To spark your interest in eating vegetables, try switching up which ones you add to meals. This month, try kohlrabi for the first time, and next month, eat some beets! 

5 – Read fewer headlines, especially those related to nutrition. 

One day, eggs are terrible for us, and the next…they’re a superfood! Reading nutrition headlines usually does more harm than good, and can lead to confusion and fear surrounding foods. Instead of getting caught up in what the latest hot-topic du jour, remind yourself of the well-established nutrition basics, and read a positive, light article instead. (Healthy For Life Meals is proud to provide meals that follow these well-established basic guidelines!) 

6 – Socialize with exercise. 

Getting into the habit of exercising regularly can be challenging, especially if you do it alone. Instead of meeting your friends for drinks after work, ask if they’d be willing to try a workout class together for something new. You can also look into joining a running or walking club to get your heart rate up while meeting new people. 

7 – Try meditation or another relaxation technique. 

While it may not be the first technique you think of when it comes to health, meditation can be very helpful for reducing stress. It can also help you overcome negative emotions towards food and overall develop healthier eating habits. For tips on how to get started, check out our post on meditation and visualization. 

Note from Healthy For Life Meals: If you struggle with creating consistent, healthy eating habits, we’re here to help. We take all the thinking, shopping, prepping, cooking, and cleanup out of the healthy eating equation, freeing you up to focus on developing other healthy new habits like those in the list above. Questions? We can help.