Moderation, not diet, is the better New Year’s resolution

As the New Year begins, everyone is resolving to be better. Forget the diet, moderation is the better choice for a New Year’s resolution.

A new year brings promise. A better you, a better life or just a new beginning are all thoughts as everyone starts anew. One popular New Year’s resolution is to eat better. Unfortunately, diet can have a negative connotation. Why start the New Year with a negative. Moderation is a better mindset.

Whether you want to eat better, be healthy or lose weight, a change to eating habits is a vital component. But even the person with the most ardent will power can have difficulty with a lot of deprivation. A super strict eating plan can have anyone resolving to give up before they start.

Going from over holiday indulgence to extreme calorie modification can have drastic results. Sure, a big calorie drop can make anyone lose weight, but it can also make for a crabby household. No one likes dealing with someone who’s “hangry.” Learning to work within moderation can bring longer lasting, more successful results.

Since every person is different one style meal plan doesn’t fit all. Whether you prefer Paleo, vegetarian or Atkins is the biggest factor to overall success. Truthfully, the age old, simple rule is the one that will always succeed – calories in versus calories out.

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Just like the simple math equation that everyone learned in grade school. The more calories you burn versus the calories you consume will leave you in a negative calorie total. Negative calorie totals equal weight loss.

For the person resolving to eat better, be more active or lose weight as a New Year’s resolution, this simple method can be an easier way to transition to a different lifestyle. Moderation, whether in eating or exercising, can sustain that resolution.

Instead of deprivation or extreme plans, moderation is easier to follow. Constantly feeling deprived can make anyone want to skip the salad and head straight for the bowl of ice cream. The key is to find the compromise. For example, an extra 20 minutes on the treadmill and salad two days in a row could mean a small bowl of ice cream. Being conscious of the total calories in versus total calories out doesn’t mean that you can’t have certain foods, you just need to plan for them.

Granted, no one is saying that you should only eat a bowl of ice cream in a single day. Still, nothing has to be off limits. Finding the balance that works in your lifestyle with your goals can help you achieve success.

Do you have a New Year’s resolution? Have you achieved a New Year’s resolution? Got some easy tips for the rest of us? Share your thoughts below or tag us with #FoodSided.