With the New Year underway, it is likely you have considered working toward specific fitness goals.  According to the University of Stranton, the #1 New Year’s goal in 2015 was weight loss, followed by getting organized, spending less/saving more money, and enjoying life to the fullest. Regrettably, the cold hard facts show that only 8% of people who make resolutions actually achieve them!

With the odds stacked against us for success, you might be wondering how to create a fitness plan that will actually work. Listed below are tips that many of our most successful clients have found helpful:

  1. Create a plan or schedule. Without a plan, you may begin and end your day without even thinking twice about intentionally being active. At the beginning of each week look at obligations and designate a time for fitness.
  2. Set realistic expectations and mini-goals for each month. Assess the level at which you are beginning and allow yourself to gradually improve. Measure your progress at the end of the month and determine a plan for the following month.
  3. Build a support group. These are the people in your life who will hold you accountable and provide encouragement throughout your journey.

This week, I have the pleasure of sharing the testimony of a dear friend, Diane McWilliams who learned how to embrace being diagnosed diabetic and took charge of her health. Diane chose to make healthy changes to her food and became dedicated to incorporating fitness into her daily lifestyle.  She has been an inspiration to me; I hope her testimony will be inspirational for you as well.

“When I came to JTA Wellness, I was your typical diabetic Hispanic. To me, diabetes meant 1) take your oral medications; 2) try to do what the doctor tells you; and 3) eat whatever you want. As they years passed, my diabetes grew worse, and I didn’t like hearing what my doctor was telling me. All I could see was myself going down the same path as my father, mother, aunts, uncles, cousins and the other Hispanics I knew. I resolved to do everything in my power to delay or better yet, change my path.  I was determined to learn more about diabetes and what changes needed to be made to avoid becoming another notch on the diabetes’ belt. I embraced my challenge and decided to put the brakes on diabetes. This is when the dietitians at JTA Wellness came into my life and helped change my path. At JTA I learned to be true and honest with myself and understand how the food I was eating affected my blood sugar levels. They showed me that eating healthy didn’t have to be blah and boring. Learning to eat healthy helped encourage me to try new foods and open my taste buds to new things. I love to cook and am excited to nourish my body. I have always loved sports and exercise. My body loves when I exercise and the reward is phenomenal! With JTA’s help, I now look at diabetes as a good thing because it was my wake-up call to become aware of the foods I ate and get myself moving and active. I could not have reached my goal without JTA’s guidance, support and inspiration. I will never forget what I have learned from the dietitians at JTA Wellness – they are my heroes.” – Diane McWillams

The most commonly broken rule of physical fitness is proper nutrition.  Surprisingly, diet makes up about 80% of your fitness level.  During this cold time of year, fuel up with a hearty and flavorful soup.  Italian Wedding Soup is a crowd pleaser- packed with good flavor and good nutrition.  Enjoy!