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Nutrition News

by Amanda Rothe, RD/LD/CDE

Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator

No Excuses-Just do it!

Well the holidays have come and gone and the New Year has arrived. You have officially run out of excuses for avoiding getting started on your New Year’s resolution. It’s time to take the plunge in taking better care of yourself. It’s time to clean out the pantry and get rid of all the junk food. It’s time to dust off the workout equipment or use that gym membership you bought last year. Don’t get overwhelmed with all the things you plan to change, just get started. Whether you plan to eat healthier or exercise more, it’s time to hit the start button and just do it.

Before you make all kinds of huge plans to drop twenty pounds in a month or train to run a half marathon, remember that these healthy choices should be lifelong.

Are the changes you plan to make moving you in the direction of better health? Forget the scale, forget the fad diets, and just work toward improving your health with healthy food and more movement.

Healthy Eating is not a fad diet. Choosing to eat healthy means you look for foods that will benefit you in some way by providing necessary vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein and many other important nutrients. When we eat a diet high in sugar and calories we often get very little nutritional value from our foods. By selecting more fresh fruit, vegetables, lean meats, high fiber starches; we are helping to fuel our bodies with the necessary nutrients to maintain good health. You will find that you feel so much better when you fuel your body with good, healthy food.

• Plan out your week and make a healthy grocery list
• Find ways to increase non starchy vegetables at all your meals.
• Pack a piece of fruit for an afternoon snack instead of choosing something from the vending machine.
• Choose lean protein sources at most meals to help keep your cholesterol in check.

Find creative ways to keep moving throughout the day and get the benefits of an active lifestyle by taking the stairs, parking further away, and taking a walk after lunch. Find different options in your community to get exercise such as local gym, dance class, cross fit or online exercise program. Check with your insurance to see if they offer any incentives for joining a gym. Some insurance plans help pay for gym memberships or offer discounts for enrolling in a health promotion program. If you are just starting to exercise or restarting after a long hiatus, remember to start slow to avoid injury.

There is no magic pill when it comes to health. We all have to put in the work and make better choices. Now that the holidays are over, its time to plan those healthy meals, put on those walking shoes and just do it!