New You Resolutions

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New you resolutions
Losing weight, improving diabetes management, and exercising more are admirable New Year’s resolutions—and ones that are often broken. To improve the odds of success, Michele Jachim, RD, CDE, of the Florida Hospital Diabetes Institute, recommends breaking down resolutions into manageable steps. 
 
Let’s say you want to lose weight. Start by marking each monthly page of your 2009 calendar with one attainable goal. For January, your goal might be to take a 10-minute walk five days a week. In February, you might vow to buy a low-fat cookbook. In March, maybe you’ll resolve to jump rope three times a week or join a gym. 
 
Similarly, if your resolution is to improve diabetes management, start with one appointment in January—perhaps to see a diabetes educator. In February, your goal might be to meet with a dietitian. “At the end of the year,” says Jachim, “you’ll have 12 new habits.”

 


Update: July 6, 2010