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4 ways Arizonans can keep their fitness resolutions this year

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New Year’s resolutions are a time-honored tradition. Resolutions related to health are a fantastic way to improve quality of life — if you commit to them.

While making a commitment to staying active and making healthier choices can be challenging, there are steps to take to give health-related resolutions the greatest odds of long-term success.

If you start a new activity you don’t enjoy, odds are against you sticking with it. Instead, find something that works for you and that you enjoy. If possible, find a friend or family member to do the activity with you for an added layer of support.

If you’ve committed to exercising more, it’s important to first consult your physician, then start slowly and ramp up activity over time. People often start off too strong and give 110%, which can lead them to give up on their resolutions.

Exercising seven days a week is a great goal, but it may not be realistic at the start of your fitness plan. Neither is cutting out meals you enjoy.

Completely eliminating favorite foods is counter-productive to making long-term, healthy diet changes, says Abrazo Health colleague Dr. Kelly Shortridge, a general and bariatric surgeon.

“If you can’t eat something ever, it controls you, but if you can have something in moderation, you control it,” Shortridge says. “Instead, think portion control and moderation, such as cutting back on sodas and sweet teas: simple things that show significant results over time.”

To recap, the best ways to achieve your health and fitness goals in the new year include:

• Get moving. Whether it is going for a simple walk with your dog or completing a regular chore like mowing the grass, routinely engaging in light exercise can help reduce the shock of starting a new exercise routine in January.
Find something you enjoy. Before starting your exercise routine, do research and find an activity you enjoy. Enjoying your fitness routine can be the first step to a successful commitment.
Do not overdo it. One of the biggest mistakes when it comes to the New Year’s resolution to fitness is trying to do too much too fast. Set obtainable goals and schedules that are sustainable. Remember, committing to fitness is a lifetime goal — a marathon, not a sprint!
Diet is key. Eating a healthy diet is just as important as meeting your fitness goals, but again, do not over-do it. Cutting yourself off entirely from your favorite foods is not necessarily a recipe for success.

Editor’s note: Dr. Samyuktha Sreenivasan of Abrazo Medical Group – Glendale is board-certified in internal medicine. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.

health, fitness, goals, healthy eating, diet, exercise

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