Article by: Beth Blessing By now you’re through your first two weeks of your New Year’s resolutions. While you may be progressing well so far, how can you keep this lifestyle going? Though you may be itching to get your hands on some greasy foods and binge on a day of Netflix, try using these tips to stay on track. Avoid “attacking” your resolutions Try incorporating your goals one at a time, and give yourself at least a week to practice before adding another. We often set our resolutions and go into attack mode trying to incorporate all of these changes at the same time. This can cause frustration and an easy way to fall off track. Let go of perfectionism During lifestyle changes it is common to have bursts of energy, plateaus, and even declines. It is part of the cycle. Because of this, it is important to recognize these different stages when experiencing them. Enjoy when there are bursts of energy, but don’t lose interest or get frustrated when there are plateaus and setbacks. Discipline, restriction, guilt, and beating yourself up are counterproductive to change. Letting go of perfectionism will allow you to see what small changes you have made. Falling off the wagon is okay and expected, but it is important to jump back on and notice the renewed energy it brings to accomplishing your goal. Plan ahead and keep your kitchen full of healthy “fast food” Eating clean means more fruits and vegetables and no processed, packaged junk. Often our biggest failure in eating healthy is when hunger strikes and having healthy food on hand. With a bit of planning, it is easy to make quick and healthy meals available for the family. Stocking up and filling your refrigerator with an abundance of produce is the easiest way to provide quick and healthy options. Prep ahead by washing, drying, and chopping an assortment of colorful vegetables for snacking, tossing into salads, or cooking. Double up on your recipes when making soups, root roasts, slow cooker meals, hard boiled eggs, or healthy muffins or pancakes. Making enough for leftovers is an easy way to incorporate healthy foods into tomorrow’s lunch. Keep exercise as a place of importance During the cold winter months, it gets harder to get outside, stay active, and keep exercise as a priority. Don’t let the chilly weather keep you locked inside. Embrace your inner child and challenge yourself to get outside and play. Layer up and take a walk, or play in the snow by sledding or making a snowman. If you’re not the type to bundle up and take your winter exercise routine outside, then consider joining a yoga or pilates studio. Yoga and pilates help to build muscle, improve flexibility, strengthen your core, build healthy bones, reduce depression and stress, boost your immune system, lower blood pressure, and positively affect every system in your body. Recruit team players Meeting goals is extremely difficult when doing it alone. The most successful goal-setters rely on a support group to encourage them and/or participate with them. When you have a friend, partner, or group of people to participate with, there is an increase in adherence and success.