Small Changes Help You Keep New Year's Resolutions

(ARA) - You probably make the same New Year's resolutions every year -- spend more time with friends and family, be healthier and enjoy life more. You buy a book about better eating habits, join a gym and plan a dinner party. But by the time your party takes place you've lost interest in the book and haven't been to the gym in weeks.

Most experts agree that to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle it is more effective to make small changes to your diet, exercise routine and daily life. Incremental changes are much more sustainable than a radical crash diet or exercise program you won't stick to long term. Make minor adjustments and you'll be able to keep your New Year's resolutions all year long.

Here are some small steps that can make big changes in your life:

Simple Swaps

* Swap out refined products for as much fiber and whole grain as possible. Put berries or bananas on your morning cereal, eat whole grain breads and crackers, use whole grain pasta and add extra lettuce and tomatoes to your sandwich. Look for products with added fiber to help boost your intake.

* Little food changes can make a big caloric difference. Order thin crust pizza instead of regular, saute in olive oil instead of butter, replace half and half in your coffee with two percent milk, use whipped butter instead of stick butter and have sorbet instead of ice cream.

Don't cut out entire food groups, it's not healthy and it's a technique destined to fail when you get a craving for what you've banished. For example, instead of vowing to drink only water, commit to drinking lower-calorie, all-natural beverages like IZZE esque (www.IZZE.com). At just 60 calories per 12 ounce bottle, IZZE esque is a great tasting, sparkling beverage that doesn't contain any artificial sweeteners. Fruit flavors like sparkling mandarin, sparkling black raspberry and sparkling limon are a light and satisfying way to refresh and enjoy delicious fruit flavors.

See Some Action

* Bike to work or the store instead of driving. If your destination is far away, drive halfway and bike the rest.

* Get outside with friends and family. Mow the lawn, shovel snow, play a game of soccer or tag in the park with your kids and play fetch with your dog. Getting moving can be fun for the whole family.

* Find an activity to do. If you find yourself bored and wanting a snack by mid afternoon or late at night, find something else to do with your time. Play computer solitaire, read a magazine, do a crossword puzzle, take a walk around the office or chew gum.

* Transform your coffee break into a walk break and explore the area around your home and office. Take the stairs instead of the elevator; get to know people in your office building by meeting people on other floors.

* Volunteer at least once a week. A recent study found that men who volunteer at least once per week have at least half the death rate of those who don't. Volunteering is great for your health and happiness and the well-being of others.

* Stand up every time you talk on the phone, do squats while you're brushing your teeth and run around the house during the commercials of your favorite show. A few minutes of movement here and there can add up to a whole lot of exercise.

This year, make your New Year's resolutions count and resolve to make little changes in your life mean a lot.

Courtesy of ARAcontent