Happy New Year and Welcome 2013!

New Years resolutions are a tradition and many are made and broken but wouldn’t it be great to make a resolution that is good for your health and easy to stick to? So many people want to get active, lose weight and eat better but the resolutions are not specific and measurable and are too big and therefore often not achieved. Why not make smaller specific resolutions that will be successful?
Here are 25 simple ideas to pick from that will help you kick start your improved health and longevity in 2013.

1.  Resolve to read and understand food labels on all products and reduce dangerous sugar fat and salt from your diet

2.  Read ingredient lists and vow to avoid products where white sugar is one of the first 3 ingredients

3.  Resolve to have 10 servings of fruits and vegetables a day

4.  Plan to add a super food like chia, flax, avocado or hemp to your diet every day

5.  Increase your water consumption to 40, 50 or 100 oz a day depending on what you are currently drinking

6.  Add a supercharged healthy spinach and fruit smoothie every day

7.  Drink one less sugared beverage a day

8.  Switch from cows milk to almond milk

9.  If milk chocolate is your “go to” treat, switch to dark chocolate

10.  When drinking wine switch to ONE glass of dry red wine rather than white

11.  Instead of potato chips, reach for unsalted nuts

12.  Love almonds? Purchase them in the shell and crack them yourself as the time spent will reduce the number eaten

13.  Love coffee? Reduce from 4 to 3, 3 to 2 or 2 to 1 cup(s) per day

14.  Eliminate white sugar in the sugar bowl and switch to stevia; a natural sweetener that will not spike insulin levels

15.  If you are feeling sleep deprived, add an hour to your sleep routine

16.  Throw away the salt shaker and commit to not adding additional salt to your food

17.  Fast food just too easy? Read nutrition guides and pick healthier options

18.  Resolve to chew your food 20-30 times each bite to feel full while eating less

19.  Measure your food portions to amounts recommended by Canada’s Food Guide

20.  Eliminate fruit juice and replace with fruit for reduced sugar and calories

21.  Add activity in 10 minute increments to your day

22.  Reduce television viewing by 30 minutes per day and replace it with physical activity

23.  Be outside and active for 20 minutes a day

24.  Plan a social event once a month or once a week and be sure to laugh

25.  Be Grateful – write down 5 things you are grateful for every day

Pick one or more  of these easy to stick to resolutions for 2013 or come up with your own small but measurable ideas in order to make a shift toward improved wellness!