Finally 2020 is coming to an end, but the emotional and physical effects of 2020 will not be going away anytime soon. Even if you have gained weight this year, I encourage you to focus on creating resolutions not focused on the number on the scale. Instead, create resolutions focused on creating better habits that don’t leave you feeling guilty or deprived.
Here are 5 positive nutrition resolutions to set for yourself:
- Let go of feeling guilty for your food choices. Maybe you have committed yourself to eating healthy. However, what happens when you go out to eat or go to a birthday or holiday celebration and the foods available don’t meet your definition of healthy? If you feel guilty about eating those foods, it can make you feel even worse about yourself and cause disordered eating patterns. If you feel guilty after eating certain foods, remind yourself that no one food will make you healthy or unhealthy. Focus on letting go of rigid food rules and allow yourself to enjoy a more balanced way of eating that allows for your favorite foods.
- Appreciate your body as it is right now. Wanting to lose weight is one of the most popular new year’s resolutions. Your desire to want to lose weight is valid, however before you lose weight, it is important to appreciate your body as it is right now. Practice gratitude by writing down one thing you are thankful for about your body on a daily basis. Post these on your bathroom mirror to remind yourself on a daily basis. Improving appreciation for your body, can help you treat your body with kindness.
- Find pleasure in nourishing yourself. Nourishing your body with a variety of foods that make you feel good is one of the greatest forms of self-care. Instead of feeling like you can only eat boiled chicken and steamed vegetables to be healthy, find recipes and meals that are full of flavor. Spend time with loved ones learning to cook meals that are important to your culture. While some people enjoy preparing a week’s worth of meals on one day of the week, others find that burdensome. Focus on what works for you. If you do not enjoy cooking, make the experience more pleasurable by listening to your favorite music or podcast and engage your children or partner in the kitchen with you.
- Reject the diet mentality. Do you feel that you are consistently trying out new diets with the sole purpose of losing weight? Are you constantly searching for the diet that will solve all your problems? Instead of feeling that you always need to be on a diet to lose weight, focus on creating balanced and nourishing eating habits that are sustainable. Work on finding a way of eating that works for your personal values, culture, and preferences to promote health instead of having the sole focus of losing weight.
- Find ways to move your body that feel good to you. You do not need to run 5 miles everyday, lift 100 pound weights, or do intense workouts to be healthy. If you do not enjoy an activity, you won’t stick with it. Work on finding a way of moving your body that brings you joy and makes you feel good. Walking is one the best activities you can do to increase your physical activity and provides many benefits. If you feel that you don’t have 30 minutes during your day to do a workout, instead start on increasing your physical activity throughout the day. That can look like taking 3, 10 minute activity breaks during the day.
If you have struggled to stick with resolutions in years past or are looking for guidance, support, and accountability to stick with your resolutions, work with a nutrition professional who can help you improve your relationship with food and achieve your nutrition and health goals. Learn more about the Nutrition Services offered by Savor Nutrition.
– Brittany