You don’t need to make a resolution to lose 50 pounds or cut all sugar from your diet to make 2016 your healthiest year ever.

Instead, make a goal to adopt a simple, healthy, lifestyle change that you will be able to not only achieve, but also maintain!

1. Try a New Hobby 

Hobbies aren’t just for people with lots of time to spare. A good hobby can benefit anyone! Find something you’re interested in and take the time to fit it into your schedule. Adopting a hobby could help fight depression, Alzheimer’s disease, stress, high blood pressure, and even assist with weight loss! Whether you decide to take up painting, gardening, biking, reading, sewing, blogging, crafting, or golfing, your hobby will stimulate your mind, improve your mood, and distract you from eating mindlessly out of boredom. 

Choose an active hobby! Your fitness-focused New Year’s resolution does not need to include joining a gym. Take on roller-skating, rock climbing, running, walking, cycling, swimming, yoga, or another active hobby you will personally enjoy!

2. Start Drinking Water

Put the soda down once and for all, and pick up a water bottle. Water is a simple, non-caloric substance, but every cell, organ, tissue, and living thing requires it to survive! Your body needs more water, than it does any other nutrient.

Water:

• Transports nutrients to your cells
• Transports waste away from your cells
• Is the medium for biochemical reactions in the body
• Is the main component of every body fluid (blood, stomach juice, saliva, urine)
• Regulates body temperature
• Lubricates joints and cushions organs
• Can help prevent constipation
• Is necessary for all physiological processes (including digestion and metabolism)

Thirst from dehydration is often confused for hunger, which leads to unnecessary eating. Keep hydrated and you will hopefully avoid consuming unnecessary calories. Proper hydration also improves mental performance, physical performance, and skin appearance, so drink up!

How much fluid do you need to consume to be hydrated? Men should aim to have 13 cups of fluid per day, and women should have 9 cups. 80% of these beverages should be water or unsweetened tea or coffee.

3. Be Mindful

Being mindful in your food choices is one of the hardest things to master. It takes serious effort. This year, pay attention to how specific foods impact your body.

How does your body and your mind feel after you eat certain things? Take the time to pause and think; is this good for me? How am I going to feel after eating this? Am I even hungry right now?

If you take a moment to stop, you are more likely to make a better choice. Be wary of situations that promote mindless eating, such as sitting on the couch with a bag of snack food, keeping serving platters on the table for easily reached seconds, or keeping bowls of treats and sweets around the house.

Lots of little calories add up to big weight gain. So this year, be more mindful of your actions.

Try one of these 3 suggestions and 2016 is sure to be your healthiest yet! Happy New Year!