Simple healthy lifestyle changes to make in the New Year

Now that it is 2017 we are all focusing on our New Year’s resolutions, although statistics show only eight percent of people actually stick to them. Instead of being part of the other 92 percent who don’t follow through on their commitments, join the health-conscious minority by choosing easy-to-follow resolutions that can greatly improve your well-being.

President of the American Medical Association, Dr. Andrew Gurman explained, “These seven health recommendations will help people start the year off on the right foot by helping them determine where they can make the most impactful, long-lasting improvements in their health.”

Here are the healthy New Year resolutions recommended by the AMA.

• Avoid drinks with added sugar.
• Check your risk of type 2 diabetes.
• If you’re between 18 and 65 years of age and in good health, commit to getting at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise five days a week, or 20 minutes of high-intensity aerobic exercise three days a week.
• Limit your intake of processed foods and food with added salt.
• Watch your alcohol intake. Women should have no more than one beverage a day, and men, no more than two.
• Quit smoking, if you’re a smoker.
• Avoid secondhand smoke in your car or home.

Create a plan for following through on these resolutions and set goal dates so you have something to work towards.