At least 40% of adults make one or more resolutions each year, and at least two-thirds of them to change something unhealthy. The popular resolutions concern fitness, weight gain and smoking. Here are healthy resolutions specific for women and solutions to help them achieve it.

3 Healthy New Year’s Resolutions for women

New Year’s Resolution No. 1: Eat, but in moderation

When women resolve to lose some weight, they are often black and white about it. They tend to want to cut out major food groups, telling themselves they cannot have any dessert or carbohydrates. It’s a setup for failure, because those resolutions are already in line for the next New Year, by the time mid-January comes around.

Solution: Practice moderation during the holidays, instead of deprivation. Don’t wait until the New Year to have better eating habits; it should be a whole year’s resolution, not a New Year’s resolution.

New Year’s Resolution No. 2: Jump outside the Box

Many women think of going to the gym to become more physically active. They tend to join group exercise classes or hit the aerobic machines. They may get discouraged easily because they don’t achieve desired muscle tone or weight loss in a certain time frame. They may quit because of lack of energy, time, or money. Yet they don’t have to end up that way if they’re willing to step outside of a certain mode of thinking that exercise has to be done a certain way, time or place. Many women make resolutions that are too vague or unrealistic.

Solution: It’s better to set fitness goals that are achievable, realistic, and well defined. If you can’t get to the gym, you can stay active by using the stairs and walking a little bit further in the parking lot. With just what is around you, there’s a lot you can do.

New Year’s Resolution No. 3: Make time for yourself

It’s well-known that women juggle with many tasks at once. With responsibilities related to work, home, and children, there just aren’t enough hours to do all what needs to be done. Thus, many women feel frustrated and stressed, which compromise the immune system. The pressure can also aggravate illnesses, produce depression and anxiety, disrupt sleep, and raise blood pressure.

Solution: There’s no better time than today to find time to do something for you, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. The ideas vary with individual tastes, but some women have found doing simple things, such as exercising, walking, talking to a friend or meditation to be relaxing and enjoyable. So this new year, think of what’s important to you, make your resolutions, and vow to make this the beginning of a healthier, happier you.

Christelle Bedrossian
Dietitian-Nutritionist
Beirut, Lebanon