Tag Archives: goals

4 Health Resolutions it’s Safe to Break This Year

By Kati Mora, MS, RD from AroundThePlate.org

Let’s face it. Some rules are just meant to be broken and with less than 80 percent of people actually achieving their New Year’s resolutions anyway, maybe its not such a bad idea to break a few of them this year. Instead of completely giving up on your resolution though, consider the reasons why your resolution was set to fail. If you can identify the reason, chances are you will be much more successful the second time around.

Although goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely, they should also be fun and challenging. If they fail to be the latter it is often much harder to stick with, no matter how well-defined or memorable. So this year consider ditching your previously set resolution and unresolve to do something. It sounds counterintuitive, but if you take a look at these four resolutions to break, you will see that sometimes breaking ties with your staple resolution can help you achieve your ultimate healthy goal.

Working out at the gym. Who says that a gym membership is the only way to get ripped this year? Instead, consider working out in the great outdoors. Not only will you save a little money, but you’ll reap the benefits of being one with nature. In fact, multiple studies have shown that exposure to natural light improves mood, concentration, and may even help you heal faster. Winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, tubing, sledding, and cross-country skiing are just a few ways to get moving outdoors during the colder months. Snowball fights and snow fort building will also work up a sweat with a lot of fun along the way. (more…)

Posted on January 17, 2024 by Around The Plate

Mind Over Matter Needed to Achieve Health Goals in the New Year

As we approach the beginning of another new year, many will be setting the intention to get back into a healthy exercise routine. Whether it is jogging, stationary bicycle riding, or attending yoga classes with regularity, the motivation to get with the program takes some determination.

Benjamin Franklin once said, “You can do anything you set your mind to.” Once your mind is set, the rest is easy. The challenging part is getting over the hump of doubt, impatience, and discouragement.

The following are a few tips that will help you set your mind to your goals so you may find success in making your healthy intentions a reality.

Create a mantra

A mantra is a word or group of words used to sharpen your focus during meditation. Although you might not actually be meditating when you repeat your mantra, it will still have an effect on your mind.

When you create a personal mantra, choose words that support your intention, such as “I have energy,” or “I love yoga.” Your mind will soon start believing whatever it is you are telling yourself, so choose your words wisely. (more…)

Posted on December 31, 2023 by Jill

Small Goals Keep Jennifer’s True Weight Loss Story on Track

The most recent goal Jennifer had in her weight loss journey was to get down to the weight printed on her driver’s license. In the past month, she accomplished that. She’s now three pounds under her license weight and says “I really need to go get a new driver’s license.”

She’s doing a lot of things right in her weight loss, which we’ve been following since summer. For one, she’s not on a diet. She’s establishing healthy habits that are helping her achieve one goal at a time (which is one of the healthiest habits of all when losing weight). Setting small, manageable goals helps you enjoy achievement all along the way, rather than feeling like you’re pursuing something that, for many, will takes months and even years to achieve.

Since the start of her journey in February of this year, Jennifer is down a total of 44 pounds, currently weighing in at 257 pounds. She’s down from a size 26 to a size 22 and has bought a few new clothes. She admits to still ordering things online, but is pleased with how they definitely fit when they arrive.

She’s also celebrating what she called a breakthrough this past month. “I did spiderman planks!,” Jennifer bragged. “It’s a big deal to me!” She talked about not being able to do them at all before and now she can hold one for 20 seconds. (more…)

Posted on November 9, 2023 by Natalie K

Your 5-Step Plan for Choosing the Right Goal Weight

By Bob Greene for TheBestLife.com

You’re looking to drop some weight—but how much? What weight is right for your body? Use the five steps below to make sure the goal weight you have in mind is a healthy one.

Step One: Look at Your Family Tree.


Your weight is determined primarily by genetics. This doesn’t mean that you’re destined to follow in your parents’ or grandparents’ footsteps when it comes to weight, but it can give you an idea of what’s realistic for you. For instance, if your parents have always struggled with weight, you may not be able to get to the lower end of the BMI scale, but you can certainly get into the healthy category.

Step Two: Assess Your Habits.  


Your choices and habits also affect your weight. Look at your lifestyle: What has been the lowest weight you’ve maintained as an adult? Have you had children? How active are you? These factors influence how low a weight you’ll be able to get down to now.   (more…)

Posted on October 24, 2023 by BestLifeDiet

Under Armour Asks Women to Define “What’s Beautiful”

There are so many challenge-based fitness programs out on the web and they are proving to be effective for many people. Accountability and encouragement seem to be the magic ingredient for many people to stay motivated. Under Armour has gotten in on this trend by introducing “What’s Beautiful,” a promotion encouraging women to set goals, share the process, and hopefully meet them. Oh, and they’re giving away sweet prizes along the way.

The process is very simple. At the What’s Beautiful site, any woman can set a fitness goal, any goal, and begin her journey to victory. They are asked to document the process by sharing photos and video on the Under Armour site. During the journey they are also encouraged to choose one of the daily challenges set by Under Armour trainers. As these challenges are documented, users can cheer on others who are working hard, too. Then, at the end of each week, Under Armour will give away swag bags full of gear to the women who they say, “are seriously bringing it.”

This weekly challenge and goal setting promotion is on until the end of November. At the end of that month, ten finalists will be chosen as the winning athletes, those who’ve documented what Under Armour sees as the most impressive, motivated, and monumental stories. These deserving ten women will win a trip to Clearwater, Florida to train with the elite Under Armour trainers. That is where the some of the top athletes in the world go to enhance their performances. In addition to the amazing training sessions, the winners will be treated to sessions with nutrition experts and spa treatments. (more…)

Posted on October 3, 2023 by Lacy

3 Tips for Olympic-Sized Inspiration in Every Day Life

Do you ever stop to wonder what gives someone the motivation to be the best at what they do? So many people are content with living the status quo, yet others decide life is too short so they go all-out and make the most of what they can.

The Olympic Games are a great opportunity for people around the world to witness the result of fierce dedication and a lot of hard work. Every few years we are delighted and amazed by the incredible ability of the human body. From skilled gymnasts to super-fit long distance runners, the Olympics leave many of us in a state of awe. What would this world be like if we were all so inspired to be our best?

If you are lacking the motivation to be your best, whether it is being a loving parent, an A+ student, or a better athlete, the following tips will help you find and utilize your own inner wellspring of Olympic-sized inspiration. (more…)

Posted on August 10, 2023 by Jill

Daily Challenges Create a Better You with MeYouHealth

We often talk of getting healthier or “bettering ourselves,” but what does that really mean? Some focus on their weight, others may focus more on their diet, or to some “bettering” may refer to kicking bad habits. Regardless of the issues one may want to improve, all can agree that actually taking the steps towards a goal is the hardest part. MeYouHealth may have created one of the most relevant and feasible ways to create a better you.

MeYouHealth labels themselves as the “social well-being company.” Their mission is to help people acquire and maintain a more healthful lifestyle one day at a time. The company has a Daily Challenge feature for their members. A member will receive an email with just one thing to do that day to improve their well-being. The concept is based off of behavior science that has shown how people often fail to achieve their goals because they are typically set too high.

Daily Challenge is different. A suggestion is sent at 7 am so the member has all day to complete the task. It’s typically just one small action related to healthy living. The member logs the task on the site and they are awarded as they go. Additionally the member is encouraged by the social network comprised of other members.

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Posted on February 28, 2024 by Lacy

Empty Calories Comic: Celebrate Your Weight Loss

See more Empty Calories right here in the blog each week, or receive one each month when you subscribe to our free newsletter. (more…)

Posted on February 4, 2024 by Health Buzz

Self-Improvement Starts with Reading, Flossing, and Sleeping

Setting goals that rely on lifestyle changes can be intimidating for many. While you may have wonderful intentions, making a change is difficult, especially when New Years Resolutions have a reputation for failing. It is possible to increase your chances of sticking with resolutions, or lifestyle changes at any point during the year, even difficult ones, by first proving to yourself that you can make a successful resolution. By undertaking a task at which you can succeed, you are reinforcing capability and encouraging yourself to take on bigger challenges in the future. What do you want to do in 2024 and beyond?

Here are eight changes you can work on now that will have a long reach in to other aspects of your life. Take your self improvement anywhere you can!

Read

I had a supervisor years ago who set aside 30 minutes per day to read and was thus always informed about new research and theories in the field. Whether you choose 15, 30, or 60 minutes every day, the pages and hours will quickly add up. Read technical writings to increase knowledge, fiction for relaxation, or even blogs. Listening to audio books instead of the top 40 is another way to increase what you are reading and will drastically change your commute. (more…)

Posted on January 28, 2024 by Brooke Randolph

Why You Should Ditch Your New Year’s Resolution

By Eve Kecskes MS, RD

It’s two-and-a-half weeks into the new year: are you still following your resolution? If so, how much longer do you think you can keep it up? Or are you like most of us and did you ditch it by now?

Most people make resolutions that are too hard to stick with long-term. We end up failing and then give up completely. As a dietitian, I’m going to focus on New Year’s Resolutions to lose weight and be healthy. I’m sure you want to be healthier even if you didn’t make a formal resolution.

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Posted on January 17, 2024 by GuestBlogger

This Year Touch the Rainbow

Ran Zilca is a life coach, the Chief Scientist of bLife Inc, and the CEO and founder of Signal Patterns. For more on Ran’s coaching services visit www.rideofyourlife.com/category/coach/.

Last year I went on a coast-to-coast solo motorcycle trip. A project I call “Ride Of Your Life” – a journey to inner peace. I embarked on this 6,000 mile ride only a year after obtaining my motorcycle license and along the way interviewed scholars and scientists like Deepak Chopra, James Pennebaker, Sonja Lyubomirsky and Byron Katie. I also spoke with dozens of people I met on the road at gas stations, parking lots, restaurants, rest areas, and inns. When they heard that I was carrying out my longtime dream of riding coast to coast, people responded by opening up and sharing their own dreams, aspirations, and regrets. A nameless biker, who lives 4000 miles away, is a great confidante.

Here’s what I found.

People dream about things that are within their reach. No one I met wanted to be famous, go to the moon, or climb Mt. Everest. It’s not that peoples’ dreams are trivial or uninspiring. In fact, it was amazing to hear what diverse futures people dream for themselves: becoming a teacher, writing a short book, getting back in touch with a relative, seeing Japan or New York, opening a car shop, or speaking a second language. These are all things that a lot of people get up every morning and do, yet they can seem unattainable to those who dream about them. To get back in touch with her sister, Sally only needed to pick up the phone and call, but the fear of the response at the other end of the line kept her from doing it. To see Japan, Steve only needed to buy an airline ticket, but he was not sure that he could handle the long flight. My own experience was the same. A lot of people ride motorcycles, yet at first, it seemed unattainable to get a bike and learn how to ride it.

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Posted on January 11, 2024 by GuestBlogger