“Small and steady” is the key to any changes in life according to one expert who claims New Year’s resolutions around your health could be doing more harm than good. Dr Crystal Wyllie, a health expert at ZAVA Online Doctor warned people to avoid this tradition because of the “significant psychological pressure”.
Eating better, getting fitter and losing weight are often top resolutions for millions of people every year and every year many find themselves struggling to stick to these promises past February. The expert warned this trend could be due to the resolutions themselves: “Today’s results-driven society, these lofty aspirations often set individuals up for failure and can take a significant toll on their mental health.
“We should move away from an ‘all-or-nothing’ approach commonly associated with resolutions, and instead focus on ‘small-and-steady’ changes that we can easily integrate into our daily routines.” Even if your goal is to get fitter or lose weight in the new year, the doctor advised against making this part of a dramatic resolution plan.
Instead, Dr Wyllie suggested taking smaller, focused steps towards these goals, starting with moving just a bit every day rather than committing to mammoth gym sessions several times a week, which can lead to unnecessary physical strain on the body and interrupt your fitness plans. She recommended everyday things like climbing the stairs instead of using elevators or jumping off the bus early and walking the rest of the way.
In terms of diet, the expert warned: “It’s important not to put too much pressure on yourself to change how and what you eat overnight. Start off small by eating your food more slowly or by changing how you prepare your food, such as swapping out frying for baking.”
Finally, the doctor highlighted one last vital health aspect that could thwart all of your weight loss efforts; sleep. Studies have shown not getting enough quality sleep can encourage overeating, so Dr Wyllie recommended creating a bedtime routine that doesn’t involve your phone and allows you to get between seven and nine hours of quality sleep every night.