And The #1 New Years Resolution For 2018 Is...

If you're looking to make some positive changes in 2018, you're not alone.

According to the data pulled from Google by iQuanti, this years most popular New Year’s resolution is....

"Get Healthy" (We Know...You're Stunned)

This phrase received 62,776,640 searches, a nearly 14% increase over 2017 during the same time period, when it was searched 55,177,290 times.

While resolving to "Get Healthy" sounds good on January 1st, it can be difficult to keep these goals in mind throughout the rest of the year. In fact, January 17th has officially been deemed “National Ditch Your New Years Resolution Day.” There's even an app to help you not fall victim to this day. (Fact - 80% of New years Resolutions Fail By February). Honestly though, how do you not get pessimistic like most people and give up on that goal you set for yourself?

We’ve turned to some of St. Louis’ top local experts in nutrition and fitness to get their take on creating resolutions that last.

How to Create Resolutions That Last

The first step to restarting your nutrition in the New Year is to not try and accomplish everything right away, according to Professional Figure Competitor and Registered Nurse Amy Lescher.  

“Don’t try to accomplish everything in one day, one week or even one month. Make one small change, like cutting out refined sugars or the addition of walking 20 minutes. Do this for one week and then add another small change. To start a cleaner eating regimen, always have lean protein sources in the fridge, so you can easily grab and go or add veggies and complex carbs to have a well-rounded meal. Lastly, always practice positive thinking, you believe what you think! Believe you are a badass and you Will be a badass!” 

Crossfit South City Owner Emily Zwilling encourages us to be truthful with ourselves about what it is we’re after and then set the bar high:

“I think it’s important to have that honest talk with yourself and come to terms with the fact that you will never be perfect and that is okay. I don’t gauge my progress based on the number on the scale but rather my progress in the gym and by my mental attitude about myself. Keep in mind that you can have anything you want but you have to put in the work. Hold yourself to a high standard, be good to yourself and the results will come.” 

Of course, we all know that most resolutions don’t pan out. Studies show that only 8% of people who set them follow through for an entire year. Integrity Training Systems owner and 97.1 Radio Show Host Debbie Portell says it starts with taking a long-term approach:

“Don’t just hop from goal to goal. Make it a lifestyle. Clean eating, exercise and a healthy life is a journey. The journey is a marathon not a sprint. Make wise choices daily. Eat foods that add nourishment to your body first. If you don’t recognize the ingredient in something I can guarantee you that your body will not either. A healthy life is achieved one clean meal at a time. If you make a mistake you start of fresh with your very next meal. Food is the fuel that powers the direction of your life. Fuel it with the best you can find and watch how amazing life can be.”

If you do decide to make a change, doing it all at once is many times the reason most people fail when it comes to New Year’s Resolutions. KORFIT owner Brendan O’Neill says it might be best to start adding before you begin subtracting:

"When beginning a new fitness program start by adding good habits to your daily routine before you start taking things away from yourself.  Sometimes it makes for an easier transition into a healthier lifestyle by slowly removing the bad as you go instead of doing it all at once.Exercise should be fun so in order to maintain an active lifestyle you must find activities you enjoy doing.  Try mixing things up on a weekly basis by doing a few structured workouts mixed with some challenging recreational activities such as indoor rock climbing, or outdoor hiking."

And when it comes to having a goal, it has to be a realistic one. We can’t all be cover models but Nutrition coach and Former World Champion Figure competitor Alex Ellis says you have to focus on the things you can control: 

“There isn’t much that we can control in life, but the one thing we can control is how we eat. It is so easy to fall of track. If you mess up by eating something bad or missing a day or two in the gym, get right back on track and don’t beat yourself up over it. One workout won’t get you in shape, so missing one workout won’t get you out of shape.”

Nutrition coach Roger Semsch says hard work is really the only way your going to win the battle, don’t take the easy way out:

“When you don’t feel like doing your workout is the best time to do your workout” Anyone one can train when it’s easy or convenient” 

Ready to Get Started on Your Resolution?

Let our Pure Plates Nutrition Coaches get you started with meal planning. We’ve made it as simple as possible for you because WE”LL DO IT FOR YOU! Try Pure Plates FRESH START 30 program and enjoy our fresh, healthy, perfectly-proportioned meals for 30 days…and beyond! Simply set up a free consultation with a coach today by visiting this link

With our free customized meal planning service, you don’t have to decide what to eat…shop for, cook or clean up after. Simply get fit while our chefs and nutrition coaches take care of the rest. You’ll have more energy, sleep better, feel healthier and get leaner.