5 Reasons Why the New Year Is the Perfect Time to Improve Your Health (2023) 

I know you have probably heard this a million times, but the new year is a time for new beginnings. It is a time when many people set resolutions to improve their lives. One area that many people want to focus on is their health, but they do not have a clue where to start. If you are one of those people, now is the perfect time to get started! In this blog post, we will discuss five reasons why the new year is the best time to get healthy and make positive changes in your life. We will also discuss the best ways to get started improving your health in 2023. 

Reason 1: You Can Start Fresh 

There is no better time to establish new habits and make big changes than the new year! It can feel difficult to start making big changes in the middle of the year with everything going on, but the new year gives us a chance to reset, refresh, and reenergize our lives with new goals. The holidays provide the rest we need to go into the new year with a fresh mindset and renewed interest in the goals we have been wanting to accomplish. 

Reason 2: Gyms and Health Clubs Offer Discounts 

This is the time of year when gyms and health clubs will offer major discounts to entice people to join their facility. You might want to try Pilates, Cycling, Barre, Bootcamps, or just use the equipment at a normal gym. Gyms and clubs are usually running specials at this time of year and will welcome you with open arms. Ys, community fitness centers and college or university gyms may offer access to pools and gymnasiums in addition to weight-lifting equipment and classes. These are all great options for helping you achieve your fitness goals! 

Reason 3: Easy to Find Support & Motivation in January 

We are sure you will know family or friends who are also making big changes going into the new year so it will be easier to find support and motivation. Holding each other accountable or finding exercise friends is one of the easiest and best ways to establish and maintain healthy habits. Establish goals together, exercise together, and meal prep together for a sense of community and to know someone is there making hard decisions with you.  

Reason 4: Improved Health Leads to an Improved Overall Life 

Most people do not realize that improving their health will lead to improvements in other aspects of their life. You will feel more energized, your body will perform better, your complexion will improve, and people will start to take notice of the changes you have made as well. Improving your health with diet and exercise has a domino effect on the rest of your life. It may seem difficult at first, but it only becomes easier and easier the longer you stick with it. 

Reason 5: Increased Life Longevity 

These are the first days of the rest of your life! You might not think about it often, but your daily choices may affect how long you will live. That is why it is important to take care of our bodies as best we can, whether that be exercising, eating healthily, or getting enough rest. The new year is the perfect time to establish goals that will lead to a long and happy life!  

How To Get Started 

Getting started does not have to be difficult or stressful! There are some easy things that you can do that will give you some direction and help you establish goals that you can work toward in the new year. 

Meet With Your Doctor 

Meeting with your doctor will allow you to figure out if there are any underlying or obvious health concerns that need to be addressed. For example, visiting your doctor can help you find out whether you need to focus on your heart health, preventing diabetes, or your gut health. The doctor will run tests, identify what health problems or risk factors you might have, and give you ideas about how to change them using diet and exercise. This is considered "preventative healthcare". It is the best form of healthcare because it allows you to curb a chronic disease before it starts or slow it down before it gets worse. At the visit, ask your doctor to refer you to a dietitian, physical therapist or trainer to help you translate their advice into action. 

Establish Goals 

After you meet with your doctor, establish goals that will help you achieve your objective. When you establish goals, it is important to make sure they are SMART goals.  

• Specific: The goal needs to be specific so you know exactly what you are working towards and how you will get there. 
• Measurable: The goal needs to be measurable so you can accurately assess when you reached the goal. 
• Actionable: You need to be able to take action towards the goal in some form or fashion. 
• Realistic: The goal needs to be realistically obtainable and not a far-fetched idea. 
• Time-based: You need to set time restraints on the goal to hold yourself accountable. 

“I’ve got to get my backside off the couch” is not a SMART goal! Here is a better example: Starting January 4, I will swim 30 minutes at the Y on my way home from work every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evening; I will track swimming sessions using the fitness app on my phone. The best SMART goals are about healthy actions that you can take, not outcomes you have limited control over, such as the number on the scale or the results of lab tests. 

Pick A Diet or Eating Plan 

Writing down what you plan to eat will help you shop for healthier foods and follow your provider’s nutrition advice, whether to follow a specific type of diet or to aim for a certain number of calories per day. If your lifestyle doesn’t allow shopping or cooking very often, a healthy meal plan from a meal delivery company can help you achieve your health goals. 

Two diets to consider in the new year:  

• Mediterranean – best for general wellness and combatting chronic disease. It was named the Best Overall Diet 5 years in a row by US News & World Report.  
• Low FODMAP – best for those struggling with chronic digestive conditions like IBS. This diet is recommended by gastroenterologists for chronic digestive health problems when symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, and irregularity. 

Establish An Exercise Regimen 

Establish a consistent exercise regimen that will help you achieve your health goals. Everyone is different when it comes to exercise so make sure you pick an exercise that you enjoy and can do on a regular basis. Some common types of exercises that you could do are swimming, cycling, running, weightlifting, or yoga. Work with a trainer at your exercise facility or hire one privately if you need help setting up an exercise program. 

Do You Need Help with Your Diet? 

Now that we have established why the new year is the perfect time to take care of your health, we want to help you establish a healthy eating plan. ModifyHealth delivers delicious, fully prepared meals straight to your front door. Our Mediterranean Diet and Low FODMAP Diet plans are clinically based and can help you achieve your health goals and prevent (or combat) chronic diseases. 

 
If you are interested in learning more about our medically tailored meal plans, then click here!