Stick to Your New Year’s Resolutions with Help from Hiland

This is a guest contribution from Family Style Schooling.

If you’re like me, you probably found yourself at the New Year thinking that you would like to exercise more and eat healthier. According to Forbes, “Studies have shown that less than 25% of people actually stay committed to their resolutions after just 30 days, and only 8% accomplish them.”

So does that mean that five weeks into the New Year we should just kick our resolutions to the curb and go back to old ways? Don’t despair just yet. Hope is not lost! Stick to your New Year’s resolutions with help from Hiland Dairy and a couple of tricks I’ve learned along the way.

Easy Breakfast Options from Hiland

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, yet the hardest for me to make a priority because there are so many moving parts in getting my family up and going in the mornings!

I love the new Hiland Smoothies because they are a great source of protein and fiber that are grab and go. If I have a little extra time, I can add a little granola and fresh fruit for a healthy start to my day that feels like a treat!

Not a breakfast fan? These thoughts might change your mind:

Breakfast boosts your energy levels and jump starts your metabolism
People who skip breakfast struggle with diminished mental performance
High fiber breakfasts reduce fatigue
Get a jump on nutrient intake for the day – it all adds up!

Make Simple Changes

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the unmeasurable “resolution”. What does it really mean to exercise more, lose weight, or eat healthier? Small goals and simple changes can help you head towards success that will be sustainable so you don’t burn out by week six!

One of my favorite changes this year is walking while I read. My kids have joined me in this endeavor and found it to be a great way to be more active in the day. We have a treadmill with a desktop that helps us get this done no matter what the weather is like. That is a huge help.

Studies show that spending less time sitting can “reduce your chances of cancer, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and back pain.” That is a pretty compelling argument!

Modeling an active lifestyle also helps to encourage my kids to live a healthier lifestyle. Little bits along the way add up. If I’m being painfully honest, there are days when I get less than 1,000 steps because I have been so focused on school work. But my back definitely feels that.

I’ve found that getting active and fueling my body with nutritious options like Hiland Smoothies actually gets my brain working more efficiently. That means that I get more done in less time. So that time that I thought I didn’t have for making breakfast or walking—I was wrong—really does exist.

Baby Steps to Keeping Resolutions

I always tell my kids that you can do anything for 15 minutes. If I’m asking them to work on math, read a hard book, or translate some Latin, baby steps make it possible to make progress—especially if it is a challenging task.

When I first started walking again, 10,000 steps seemed pretty unattainable. So I started with a 3,000 step goal. It was difficult at first, but then it got easier. Once I was able to maintain that goal for a week, I increased my goal to 4,000 steps. I’m now hitting 10,000 steps on most days.

How about trying something for 10 days? That has to be easier to accomplish than 365 days, right?! If you don’t make it the 10 days, reassess your goal and start another 10 days.

Writing down goals also helps them become real. This 10-Day goal setting worksheet can help you set, assess, and reach the things you desire.

If you’ve already kicked your New Year’s resolutions to the curb, how about a New Day Resolution? Start over with baby steps towards your ultimate goal.

Help from friends like Hiland

One of the greatest motivators for me has been friends and family that are helping me meet my goals. You don’t have to do it alone!

Visit Hiland to enter for a chance to win a special “Get Fit” prize pack! You’ll also get recipes and savings to help you stick to those healthy New Year resolutions!