Creating
healthier
communities by
supporting and
advancing good
health, wellness
education, and
disease
prevention
and treatment.
Tips for a healthier,
               better New Year
Achieve big goals with small, realistic steps!

Reach your goals one day at a time.
Be specific when setting goals for the New Year. Want to lose weight? Eat healthier? Sleep better? Set goals for yourself such as walk 10 minutes each day (next week increase it to 20); eat one additional serving of fruits or vegetables each day (next week make it two!); set a reasonable bedtime and stick to it. Make a daily to-do list of goals you can check off daily.

Give up vices: less is more.
Not ready to kick those old habits for good? Try cutting down to get yourself started. Swap one soda for a glass of water or low-fat milk each week. Order a baked potato instead of French fries. Trade 30-minutes of television time to take a walk or read a book. Small, incremental changes are the key to success and will keep you motivated to stay on track.

Spend more time with your family.
Plan a family game night each week or dedicate at least one night each week to have dinner together as family.

Take up a healthy hobby.
Not the best cook? Practice makes perfect. Improve your skills by cooking one healthy meal each week. Save the recipes you love and make a healthy cookbook for your family. Interested in running? Sign up for a local 5k. Find a partner (think spouse, sibling, friend) and train together! Maybe you've already worked out a fitness routine, but what about working out your mind? Try doing the Sunday crossword puzzle or a Sudoku puzzle each week to stay mentally active.

Reward yourself with things you love.
Achieving your goals can be challenging, so be sure to reward yourself for all your hard work. Reward yourself with a trip to the movie theatre or perhaps a manicure or a new piece of clothing; indulge in something you enjoy to remind yourself what you've achieved.