ID 157433586 © Turgay Gundogdu | Dreamstime.com

By Greg Fry

Resolutions anyone?

Tips for sticking to your New Year’s resolutions

Dec 30, 2019 | 2:02 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — ‘Tis the time of year for New Years Resolutions.

Exercising more, eating better and quitting smoking are a few of the most popular.

But Northern Health says the proper steps must be taken in order to be successful considering just eight per cent of all resolutions work out.

When it comes to eating better in 2020, Population Health Dietitian Sherry Ogasawara says not to focus on dieting, as it’s the surest predictor of weight gain.

“Because it’s really about restricting. And when you diet it’s something you go on and off of. Whereas eating well is something you do over a lifetime,” she says.

Weather Alerts

Freezing rain warning issued for Prince George-area, snowfall warning remains for Williston, Pine Pass

2h ago

Spruce Kings 4 Express 3

Lougheed's buzzer-beater lifts Spruce Kings to fifth consecutive win

2h ago

Cougars 5 Blazers 4 SO

WHL debutant Lewis backstops Cougars to shootout win over Blazers

4h ago

“So, it’s about reframing your whole mind set and rather than thinking about making a resolution to diet or to lose weight, think about the things that you can gain. If you’re thinking about eating well, think about trying new foods.”

If your resolution is to exercise more and to be more active, Gloria Fox, regional physical activity lead with Northern Health, says the key is to be realistic.

“To focus on the positives, and not to put too much pressure on yourself,” she says. “I feel like more often than not we set ourselves up for failure by setting too grand of a resolution. And if we can’t sustain whatever we promised ourselves that we’re going to do than it ends up doing more harm than good.”

So to be successful, she recommends focusing on something positive, like making time for something you really enjoy.

“Whether it’s a weekly yoga class, or a daily walk around the block or maybe adding a walk to that coffee date with your friend. Something that’s really simple and something that you can tangibly keep up with so that you can feel really good about your results and that makes you feel good.”

And if you’d like to quit smoking, Lindsay Willoner, Regional Tobacco Lead with Northern Health says there’s a number of tips to consider, like having a plan and a support system in place.

“This is a lifestyle change. And with the New Year coming you want to set that goal, right? Second of all, you want to detox from tobacco altogether. So, looking at getting rid of your ashtrays, matches, lighters. Anything that’s in your home or vehicle, get rid of it. Number three would be to have open dialogue with friends, family and work mates. If you’re used to going out for a smoke break, be open about it and say you’re looking at decreasing your level of smoking, that your’e looking at quitting in the New Year.”

She says another idea is to use the tobacco cessation groups that are available in B.C.