It’s a new year — a time to start fresh and to set new goals. Determined to drink more water? Itching to be more active? If you’re like many people, your goals might include a renewed focus on maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight. As little as a 5% weight loss can help you better control blood sugar, reduce the risk of heart disease, and boost energy levels and self-esteem.

Setting Your Health Goals

First, it’s important to set healthy and obtainable goals. Your health care provider or a dietitian can help you set these goals. For example, a healthy weight loss is 1 to 2 pounds per week. To achieve these goals, you’ll want to establish your own action plan, including the types of foods to eat, the number of meals each day, and appropriate calorie and carbohydrate levels.

5 Tips for Reaching Your Health Goals

• Set a healthy tone for the day with a balanced breakfast.
• Eat fewer calories each day by substituting a Glucerna® Shake for a higher-calorie meal.
• Add 2,000 additional steps to your day by taking the stairs at work or walking for 10 minutes after you eat lunch. Each step counts! Consider buying a pedometer, which is a simple tool you can wear to help you count your steps.
• Monitor portion sizes during mealtimes and snack times. Consuming too many foods, even healthy ones, can lead to weight gain.
• Eat regular meals and snacks to help manage blood sugar and weight gain. By evenly spreading calorie and carbohydrate intake throughout the day, you can control your appetite and minimize blood sugar highs and lows.

Activity Up? Monitor More

When starting an exercise plan or increasing your physical activity, pay close attention to your blood sugar levels. Lower caloric intake and added physical activity can cause your blood sugar levels to drop. As your body becomes healthier, it becomes more sensitive to insulin; as a result, you might need to modify your management plan with your health care professional.