Full disclosure:

If you thought I was going to give you a “be a new person in 3 days” solution, I'm sorry but you're going to be quite disappointed by the time you finish reading this blog. For those of you still with me, read on so I can provide you with a few tips on how to accomplish those resolutions you made the healthy way. 

BUT…Before we dive deep in the nitty gritty together, I want you to understand that Rome wasn't built in a day. And if you tried to tear it down, I'm pretty sure that would take awhile too. Point being, keep the words: dedication, diligence and repetition, in the forefront of your mind! 

Let's begin…

Resolution

res·o·lu·tion \ˌre-zə-ˈlü-shən\

the act or process of resolving: the act of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones :  the act of answering :  solving  :  the act of determining :  the passing of a voice part from a dissonant to a consonant tone or the progression of a chord from dissonance to consonance

First and foremost,

When developing a resolution you must first know what it truly means. While in church this past Saturday, Brice and I’s pastor brought the definitions of a resolution to our attention. I realized then that I had never really paid much attention to how dynamic the word resolution is, and that setting one was less about making a statement and more about harmony.

In achieving that harmony, we must begin with being real with ourselves and setting realistic stepping stones called “goals”. If we can't be honest with ourselves, WHO can we be honest with? Take the time to acknowledge and understand the things you can and cannot do. More importantly, acknowledge the things that you will or will not be WILLING to do--because at the end of the day--everything is a choice (even harmony).

Second,

It's not a bad idea to start with a fast. I'm not talking about the type of fast where you only drink cucumber water for 30 days to lose 30 pounds. I'm talking about the type of fast that can help get you in the right mindset to conquer all the hardships you might encounter in trying to accomplish your goals this year. Also, the clarity that you can achieve about yourself, your purpose and the reasoning behind some of your habit choices are limitless while in a fast! It doesn't have to be long, but it is certainly well worth it!  

Third,

Do it the right way and be cautious of taking shortcuts. Like most things in life, if it takes time and effort to accomplish it, you are more likely to stick with it and be proud of what you have accomplished. What you put in is what you will get out. You will have worked too hard and learned so much along the way, you'll be more than equipped to stay the course and maintain your effort. I can't say the same for a weight loss pill. 

Doing it the right way is different for each person (different strokes for different folks) but what I'm saying is choose FOOD FIRST. Some of the most simple changes that can be made to better your health are sitting right there in your pantry. And the good news is that you don't have to go after the whole shebang in the beginning! You can start with cutting out the fries during lunch, skipping dessert, or making it a point to incorporate AT LEAST one whole fruit and one whole vegetable in your daily diet! Dedicate yourself to making small changes and eventually they will lead to a complete lifestyle change.

Fourth on my list,

Popular and new doesn’t always mean proven. In the field of dietetics we are taught to #Stand4Science and provide information that is well-researched, proven and beneficial to those we are serving. Unfortunately, many TV show hosts and magazine editors are not held to the same standard. So, when you come across the newest miracle drug that guarantees overnight success, find out what the science says. At the bottom of this blog I have listed some close friends of mine and long time registered dietitians who have studied food for years, practiced in the field and #Stand4Science! The best part? You can follow them on Twitter for proven nutrition advice!   

And finally, 

Find and connect with a health accountability partner. Knowing you're not going about this journey alone primes you for potential success. But remember: this person is not there for you to measure and compare your success to theirs. No matter how similar, your walk is NOT their walk!

Through it all, find a way to be at peace with yourself and celebrate the individual steps as they are equally valuable and deserve their own little party! Every little bit of progress is a proven benefit, so count it as a token of success!

Awesome Twitter Resources:

@Karin_Hosenfeld

@Amy_Goodson_RD

@NevaRDLD