The calendar has officially turned, and if you’re like most of us, you likely feel that familiar “New Year, New Me” pressure. We often kick off January with grand plans, like vowing to never eat sugar again or promising to spend two hours at the gym. However, we want to share a simple truth: big, drastic changes usually don’t stick. By the time February arrives, those daunting goals often feel like chores, and we find ourselves slipping back into old habits. Fortunately, you can try something different this year by focusing on achievable healthy New Year’s Resolutions. Instead of chasing perfection, you should focus on manageable, medically-backed habits that improve your life without making you feel miserable.
Focus on Adding Rather Than Subtracting
Most resolutions focus on what you plan to stop doing. For example, we tell ourselves we will cut out carbs, quit caffeine, or stop watching TV. Consequently, this subtraction mindset often leads to feelings of deprivation.
Instead of taking things away, our primary care experts recommend the “Add, Don’t Subtract” method to help you maintain your healthy New Year’s resolutions. Rather than saying “I’m cutting out junk food,” try adding one serving of vegetables to your dinner. Similarly, instead of saying “I’m quitting my sedentary lifestyle,” try adding a 10-minute walk after lunch. Because you are focusing on healthy additions, the less-healthy habits often crowd themselves out naturally. As a result, you will feel much more empowered throughout the process.
Know Your Numbers
While adding a daily walk serves as a great start, you need a roadmap to know if you’re heading in the right direction. This is why an Annual Wellness Exam serves as your most important appointment of the year.
Think of this visit as a “tune-up” for your body. During the appointment, your primary care provider helps you “know your numbers,” including:
Blood Pressure: This acts as the silent indicator of your heart health.
A1C: This test tracks your average blood sugar levels over time.
Cholesterol: These levels help you understand your risk for heart disease.
In addition to providing data, these baseline numbers offer true peace of mind. When you know your numbers, you and your doctor create a personalized plan specific to your body. This ensures that your healthy New Year’s resolutions are based on facts rather than a generic template.
The Memorial Health System Advantage
At Memorial Health, we believe healthcare works best when providers collaborate. When you choose an MHS primary care doctor, you don’t just get one physician; you gain an entire network of specialists and support staff who work together for you.
If your wellness exam shows you need extra help with heart health or nutrition to meet your New Year’s resolutions, your primary care provider connects you directly with an MHS specialist. Because our team shares access to your records, they already understand your goals. Ultimately, this makes your care seamless, convenient, and focused entirely on your needs.
Ready to Start Small?
January remains our busiest month for primary care inquiries for a good reason. It’s the perfect time to prioritize your health and set realistic resolutions.
Therefore, don’t wait until a small concern becomes a big problem. Use our Find a Provider tool to schedule your annual wellness exam today. Let’s work together to make this the year your resolutions actually stick, one small, healthy step at a time.
Disclaimer:
The Comanche County Memorial Hospital website does not provide specific medical advice for individual cases. Comanche County Memorial Hospital does not endorse any medical or professional services obtained through information provided on this site, articles on the site or any links on this site.
Use of the information obtained by the Comanche County Memorial Hospital website does not replace medical advice given by a qualified medical provider to meet the medical needs of our readers or others.
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