KIRSTEN LUPINSKI: Wow! Where did 2016 go?

Yes, it is now 2017! How hard is that to believe? I feel like I was just talking about 2016 being the New Year and here we are in no time at all that year is over. I am sure I am speaking for so many of you — you aren’t ready for a new year, but you are ready to implement some new and healthy behaviors.

How many of you are guilty of saying, “Oh, I will start that next year”? Well, it’s next year and that means it’s time to follow through. I wrote a similar version of these tips to start the new year last year, but strongly feel that a little reminder and nudge in the right direction is much needed right now.

So, here we go to happy and healthy 2017 …

1. Resolve not to resolve. This is the time of year that everyone tries to make a resolution, which usually revolves around diet and exercise. Did you know that according to Statistic Brain Research Institute roughly half of us make New Year’s resolutions and about 8 percent report success in achieving their resolutions? Therefore, I propose to just skip making a resolution.

What to do instead? Decide to become healthier, happier and more productive in the New Year. That doesn’t mean that you need to lose weight, exercise every day, or go on a “diet.” It means that you need to find something that fits into your lifestyle and can make a difference and an impact for you. There are a million different things that you can do, but I wanted to give you some ideas that will hopefully make you think of what you can do for yourself (and your family).

Try something new. This can be anything at all; riding your bikes as a family, going on evening walks, going to the playground, reading a book (starting a book), start a family reading time, planning your meals ahead of time, eating at home more often, packing healthy lunches, making sure everyone eats breakfast before they leave the house, have a family movie/game night, or buy some fruits or vegetables that you have never tried before. As I said these are just some ideas, be creative and come up with things that will make a difference for you!

2. Set “real” goals that are actually realistic and that you can accomplish. Don’t say you want to lose 50 pounds by the start of spring because, one, that is not realistic and, two, that is not healthy. For example, if you don’t do any form of exercise at all, start slow and small and involve your entire family — We will take a walk after dinner at least three times a week or we will do one form of physical activity (hiking, biking, swimming) each weekend as a family.

Going back to the ideas from No. 1, I will start and finish one book in the next month or I will pack my lunch at least two times per week or I will plan each week’s meals on Sunday night. All of these goals are doable and can easily be accomplished and add to your overall well being and happiness.

3. (This last tip is something that I truly believe in.) Start each day with three positive things/messages to yourself or to your family and then end each day with three positive things that happened that day. For example, when you wake up in the morning, tell yourself that you are going to have a great day, tell your daughter that she is going to do great on her math test or your son that he is going to do super in his soccer game.

Just by putting things in a positive spin can make a difference in how your day goes. Then right before bed take a few minutes to reflect on the day and think of 3 things that made it a good day. For instance, you made it through a three-hour meeting, your daughter scored her first goal in soccer, your mom called to see how you were doing, or you had a home-cooked, healthy dinner. This will only take a few minutes but make you change how you look at things and how you think.

I wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year! And look forward to some more tips and tricks next month!

Kirsten Lupinski is an assistant professor at Albany State University in the Department of Health and Human Performance. She has a bachelor’s of science in nutrition from the University of North Carolina, a master’s of science in health education from the University of Kentucky and a doctorate in education from the University of Cincinnati. She has worked in the health education field in various capacities (corporate health, community health, college health and wellness and university education) for more than 17 years. She and her husband have three young children (9-year-old twin sons and a 6-year-old daughter).