Tips for a Healthy New Year

Sometimes it seems like New Year's resolutions are made to be broken. But it doesn't have to be that way. There's a lot you can do to make your resolutions stick.

All of the following tips have one common thread: Be realistic—in both your goal-setting and goal-achieving behaviors. By keeping your resolutions firmly grounded in reality, you have a better chance of holding to them throughout the year.

1. Start small. For example, if your goal is to eat healthier foods, begin by enjoying fruit for dessert instead of ice cream or cake. Once you've become accustomed to that change, pick another healthy substitution to tackle.

2. Change one behavior at a time. Quitting smoking, losing weight and exercising more—these are great resolutions. But don't try to do them—or other tough ones—all at the same time. Pick one to focus on.

3. Seek support. If you can, find someone who shares your same goals and take the resolution journey together. Share your experiences with family and friends. Or join a support group. You don't need to do this alone.

4. Talk kindly to yourself. Did you slip up and break a resolution? Don't beat yourself up. It's perfectly normal to make mistakes. Imagine what you'd say to a friend who did the same thing. Give yourself a break.

5. Try, try again. If you fall back into bad habits, dust yourself off and get back on that horse. Nowhere is it written that missteps equal total failure.

Find a Health Care Partner
If you don’t have a primary care physician or provider, that’s a great place to start as you pursue a healthier 2023. Primary care physicians can help you develop an action plan to reach your health goals – whether that’s smoking cessation, managing diabetes, improving your heart health or something else. Call our patient advocate, Kim Schneider, at 844-520-8897 for help finding a primary care provider.

Free Consultation for Weight Loss Program
If weight loss is one of your goals, our Ideal Protein weight loss program may be a good option for you. Medically developed and supervised by a physician, participants are guided through the program by Weight Loss Coach Natalie Feriozzi. Natalie sees patients in Decatur and has virtual options for patients located throughout central and southern Illinois.

December 19 – February 3 features a New Year’s special on the program: 20% off the start up fee for new patients and a free consultation. Click here to learn more about the program or call Natalie at 217-321-7281 to schedule your free consultation.