January is Healthy Lifestyle Month

Editor?s note: The monthly To Your Heath column is a venue for Jefferson County Health Center to provide health information that will benefit The Fairfield Ledger?s readers.

To suggest ideas for future articles or to obtain information, call Jefferson County Health Center community relations manager Wanda Bagby at 469-4198.

The month of January has a reputation. People overindulged during the holidays with parties and family get-togethers, New Year?s resolutions have been made, and everyone wants to make this year?s last just a little longer than last year. You may notice the gym is more crowded than usual and the produce is picked over at the store. To someone like me, a dietitian, I love this! Oddly enough, January is Healthy Lifestyle Month, which I think is very appropriate for this month. I think we focus more on the idea of making resolutions instead of on starting the year off with a new healthy lifestyle. The theme for this month makes you think and I think the important word is lifestyle. Your resolution shouldn?t be to lose 20 pounds before spring break by giving up every food you enjoy. Instead, you should focus on adopting a healthy lifestyle in order to lose the weight and keep it off for longer than 2 weeks. If you follow some simple tips you can begin to adopt a healthier lifestyle and feel great all year round.

? Eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Try something new or buy the old faithfuls you love. Keep a variety of fruits and vegetables on hand and wash and cut them to make them more accessible during the week.

? Don?t stock trigger foods. If you can?t have a package of Oreos in your house without eating them all in two days, don?t buy them.

? On that same note, treat yourself! If you love Oreos buy a small single serve pack every once in a while. This will make it taste even better and be more of a treat.

? Pay attention to liquid intake. Switch to skim milk and stevia for your cream and sugar in coffee. If you need some carbonation during the day switch to carbonated water with fresh lemon or lime squeezed in.

? Snack ... the right way. Fresh fruits and vegetables are always a great low calorie choice for snacks, you can even add some yogurt dip or hummus to switch it up. Other options could be string cheese, plain yogurt with fruit or granola, or crackers and cheese. The biggest thing to remember with snacks is portion control. This is not a meal, it?s just a small portion to get you through.

If you are adding in more physical activity in the new year, make sure you are fueling yourself to tackle your workouts. Having a small snack before your workout and ensuring that you have a good meal or snack after to refuel are key things to remember. Last but not least, hydrate. Give yourself a goal and drink water throughout the day.

Tamara Hoffman RD, LD, CDM, CFPP is the dietitian/assistant manager at Jefferson County Health Center.