Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona helps with how to make realistic goals in the new year

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is a paid advertiser of Sonoran Living Live

The good news is that most people are still on track with their New Year's resolutions. The bad news is that about a third will give up within the next few weeks. But healthy resolutions don't have to feel impossible. Cristin Connor, Registered Nurse with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, is here with five realistic tips to meet your weight loss goals in the coming year.

She notes that making all of these changes at once might seem daunting, so tackle one habit at a time to create a healthier you.

1.    Keep track of how many calories you consume versus how many you burn. To lose weight, you should be consuming fewer calories than you're burning. Make use of smartphone apps and online tools available via your healthcare provider or the USDA at www.supertracker.usda.gov to track your calorie intake and output. For those enrolled in Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, there is a nutrition planner available at azblue.com. Seeing your results in writing will make a huge difference!

2.    Increase your time spent being physically active. One primary way to widen the gap between calories consumed and calories burned is to increase your physical activity and include cardiovascular, strength training and stretching exercises. Strength training can also aid your metabolism and increase your energy levels! But beware, calorie estimates on most exercise machines may be inaccurate. In other words, spending an hour on the treadmill does not mean you can go enjoy and burger and fries and expect to lose weight.

3.    Start your day right by eating breakfast every day. A well-balanced breakfast is an important part of maintaining a healthy weight. Skipping meals generally leads to extreme hunger and overeating at the next meal. A breakfast composed of complex carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats and fiber will wake your body up and accelerate metabolism.

4.    Eat a diet of primarily whole foods. Those foods that are closest to their natural state are easiest for our bodies to digest and contain the most nutrients. Highly processed foods are usually high in sodium, preservatives, artificial sweeteners and fats that will derail a weight loss or maintenance plan.

5.    Dine out less frequently. Restaurants are fun, but they can make diet management a challenge.  Restaurant food is often high in fat, calories and sugars. By eating at home most nights of the week, you can manage the nutritional content of meals and save money, too.


*This is not a medical recommendation, anyone with concerns or questions about their health should contact their physician. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.


Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is a paid advertiser of Sonoran Living Live