Why you shouldn't be making food-related resolutions this New Year

When it comes to setting goals and making resolutions, the new year feels like it should be the perfect opportunity to finally make it happen. Whether you're trying to cut down on sugar, or attempting to eat fewer midnight snacks, it can be easy to want to try when you can make a fresh start, especially after a festive month of debauchery and indulgence. But while it sounds great in theory, making a decision to pursue a goal based on just the date can be setting yourself up for failure. If you're not ready, have a plan in place, or really want to do it, you're likely to lose steam before you really make any progress. Sounds all too familiar? We asked Neha Sahaya, a Mumbai-based nutritionist and wellness consultant, and Mayuri Punjabi, Hong Kong-based health coach and founder of MyEureka for their tricks to start making better choices now, instead of waiting. 

Why you have to alter your mindset

“The thing with resolutions is that we do it because we feel like it is something we need to do, not actually always want to do,” says Sahaya. “You may be excited in the first few weeks to give it your all, but then you may lose steam,” she says. When making a lifestyle change, there needs to be a level of accountability and an understanding of what is and is not feasible to accomplish. “Resolutions are notorious for being unsustainable; they often make us over promise but under deliver. The reason why many resolutions do not last is because individuals try to do too much too soon without a support system in place," confirms Punjabi. 

According to Punjabi, making food-related resolutions is not sustainable, because it relates to you thinking in terms of deprivation. “By choosing to deprive yourself, you are deciding to approach this lifestyle change from a place of punishment. When your mindset comes from a space of abundance and awareness, you have infinite choices. You may have indulged over the holiday season, but you chose to do so, and then also have a choice to realign yourself without punishment. This leaves you in a more empowered space mentally, which in turn aids in your holistic health and wellness journey. 

How to make better decisions now

If you make a resolution to eat healthy, stop smoking, drink more water and start exercising all at once, you're likely to be too overwhelmed to do any of it right. “What I have noticed with a vast number of clients is that they over-estimate their willpower and try to make too many changes simultaneously,” says Sahaya. Instead, a lot of experts suggest making smaller changes now, and work through them safely. But Punjabi says that the process of making better choices is bio-individual. “There is no one-size-fits-all approach to health and wellness. One could approach this as there being two ways to make a change, starting with small incremental changes or cold turkey. I often find that this is a grey area, as each person has their own blueprint. If someone decides to go cold turkey, but has no guidance or support system to hold them accountable, it won’t work nor will it be sustainable. There are extremists that believe in an all or nothing approach, and oftentimes they shift between the two extremes, there are also others that come from a punishing mentality, both of which inhibits the journey."

4 actionable ways to make better wellness choices through the festive season

Waiting for tomorrow to eat better, cut out gluten or stop drinking won't work. What also won't work? Over-indulging because you know you're going to stop doing these things in the new year. Here's what to do instead. 

1. Do not feel guilty about going all-out

“Do not punish yourself, and enjoy it while you’re having it—it tastes better without the guilt. It is not a sin you have to atone for,” says Punjabi. However, she suggests always make the conscious decision to come back to the place you call home and get back on track. The longer you indulge and veer away from your healthy lifestyle, the tougher it is to come back.

2. Don't try to compensate with meals

Skipping a meal or fasting to compensate for a high calorie dinner is not a great idea, according to Sahaya. “You're more likely to over-eat, and you won't be able to focus on the experience of eating,” she says. Instead, eating regular small meals will keep your blood sugar stable and prevent cravings. 

3. Don't skip breakfast after a night out

While it may be tempting to skip breakfast or lunch after indulging the previous night, it can actually have a snowball effect. Instead, “starting your day with a healthy well-balanced meal can actually help you get back on track. Skipping meals may actually slow your progress and enhance cravings,” says Sahaya. Usually you'll be dehydrated and bloated, so making sure to drink a lot of water and eating water-rich foods is important.

4. Sleep well

Getting enough sleep is a good way to fight off cravings and get the next day off on the right foot. 
“Lack of sleep may affect important hormone levels of ghrelin and leptin, which regulate your  hunger and appetite,” says Sahaya, so making sure you're getting enough shut-eye is important, especially now. 

Also read:

This is what happens when you skip meals and don’t eat enough

Tired of going back and forth on weight loss diets? This might help

Why not making resolutions should be your first act of self-care in 2019

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