In terms of weight gain, we tend to end the year on a bit of a “high” note. Between October and the new year, we experience the food temptations from Halloween, Thanksgiving, and an entire month of December holidays. So, it’s no surprise that many New Year’s resolutions have to do with shedding unwanted pounds.
Prioritizing a healthier lifestyle is always an excellent goal, especially for those with diabetes or prediabetes since regular exercise helps maintain blood sugar levels. But here’s the thing: New Year’s resolutions don’t have a great track record of success. In fact, only 8% of people stick with it. Call it our little secret, but 25% of people give up in the first week—and, by the second week of February, it’s up to 80%.
Feeling apprehensive? Don’t worry—below is some information to help you meet (and maintain) your goals!
Be SMART
Often, the problem with New Year’s resolutions is that they aren’t realistic. Whether they’re long-term goals that are too easy to put off or workouts that are just too challenging, exercise regimens have to be S.M.A.R.T (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely). Looking for examples? The resources below offer excellent guidance to help you set and meet your S.M.A.R.T goal:
- Setting S.M.A.R.T. Fitness Goals to Overcome Mental Hurdles
- A Guide For S.M.A.R.T Goal Setting
- S.M.A.R.T Fitness Goals Help You Stick with It
- New Year’s Resolutions for Diabetes
- Creating a S.M.A.R.T New Year’s Resolution During COVID-19 Pandemic
Gyms are another great resource for staying fit, but these settings may come with safety considerations due to COVID-19. Fortunately, many facilities offer virtual classes and training so ask your local gym about their remote or outdoor offerings (And support these businesses!).
Baby steps
Routine workouts are an excellent way to stay active, especially for individuals with diabetes or prediabetes. Remember to reward yourself for sticking with it!
Regardless of what kinds of regular exercise you choose, however, stay safe with hydration and moderation. After all, a healthy lifestyle is a marathon not a sprint—so pace yourself!
To learn more about this program and how it could help you or one of your patients, email us at preventdiabetes@trhc.com.
We’ve partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to offer the National Diabetes Prevention Program. This program includes both telehealth and digital care services, including video and online programming. Visit Prevent Diabetes [link to MWHC’s prevent diabetes page] for more information. You can also contact us at 1-844-326-3043 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., MST, Monday through Friday, or email us at preventdiabetes@trhc.com. The National Diabetes Prevention Program is offered by Tabula Rasa HealthCare and the APhA Foundation and is funded by the CDC.
**Please do not send personal health information to preventdiabetes@trhc.com. We take your confidentiality seriously.**
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