Making New Year’s Resolution Goals

Each year, people make New Year’s resolution goals that they want to achieve for the upcoming new year. It usually is a goal that seeks self improvement or changing things in one’s life. It’s not necessary to start out the years with goals or without, but it is good to at least have some idea of what kind of things you want to do or change either about yourself or your life.

1343442.large

www.care2.com

So what’s the point of New Year’s resolution goals?

  • It serve as a reminder of the goal that you want to achieve throughout the year
  • Motivates you to take action and stay on track with your plans
  • It is small stepping stones that can people take to achieve bigger goals

There are different goals for everyone, but the most common ones are:

  • Lose weight
  • Live a healthier lifestyle
  • Do well in school or go back to pursue education
  • Obtain something important (buying a home, getting a car, obtaining citizenship, etc.)
  • Travel more
  • Save more money

So what actions can you take to achieve your resolution goals?

  • Put a reminder in a notebook, cellphone app, or on a piece of paper on your fridge to constantly tell you what you want to do differently, achieve, or improve on
  • Plan and take small steps first (Putting aside $10 a month can help you buy something more valuable in the future)
  • Think about the reasons why you want to achieve your goals:
    • Is it for self-improvement? What about yourself specifically that you want to improve on? Your sociability/communication skills? Your physical state? Your living lifestyle?
    • Is education important to you? Do you plan to pursue higher education and beyond? What type of field that interests you that would need you to have a certain type of educational background?

April is Minority Health Month

The theme for 2016 is “Accelerating Health Equity for the Nation.” – www.cdc.gov

Image of smiling African American girl with arms crossed under chin leaning on table at school, while two other children look on - Every community deserves good health. This April we celebrate National Minority Health Month. National Minority Health Month logo - Accelerating Health Equity for the Nation.

Picture belongs to www.hhs.gov

The goal of Minority Health Month is to bring awareness of health disparities and to promote health equity among our diverse communities. It’s important to address health concerns and problems prevalent in different groups of people because there are things that we can do to help others live a safer and healthier life. Here are some ways in which people have implemented to help others:

  • Encouragement of breastfeeding among low-income and minority populations
  • Providing info on healthier food choices to children at home and school & bringing awareness to the increasing rate of child obesity
  • Educating communities that are at risk of certain health problems
    • “This first national study on Hispanic health risks and leading causes of death in the United States by CDC shows that Hispanics had higher death rates than Non-Hispanic whites from diabetes and chronic liver disease and cirrhosis (scarring of the liver). The report encourages the use of community health workers, also called promotores de salud, to provide resources to educate the Hispanic community about health risks and preventive services.” – www.cdc.gov

What can you do as a participant?

  • Spread the words! Follow @MinorityHealth for great information on #healthequity & make sure to share on your social media!
  • Participate in an official (or related) events near you!

Click on the official website for info on events, social media, & more!

Year of Fire Monkey

940845_10153935002442650_1249763450553168015_n

Lunar New Year has come at Feb 8th – the Year of Fire Monkey, many celebrations hosted around the Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese American communities.  BALL Partners like to remind everyone – having fun with families, but not overdoing with holiday food, and continue to exercise during the holidays.

1) Keep the focus on fun, not food.
Indulge in only the most special holiday treats. For example in the Chinese new year eve dinner, the dumpling is the most special dish, and when families prepare the dumplings, they will hind the couple coins in the dumplings, who gets to bite on the coins, who will have the best luck at coming year.  It’s fun to eat the dumplings to find the coins, but keep in mind not overdoing it.
2) Staying physically active during the holidays.
A study conducted by the U.S. government found adults gained, on average, more than a pound of body weight during the winter holidays – and that they were not at all likely to shed that weight the following year.  The good news is that the people who reported the most physical activity through the holiday season showed the least weight gain. Some even managed to lose weight.
3) Toast the new year with just one glass of bubbly.
Alcohol can interfere with your blood sugar by slowing the release of glucose into the bloodstream; it also contain a lot of calories – 89 calories per glass of white wine or champagne, 55 calories in a shot of vodka, and 170 calories in a pint of stout beer. What’s more, alcohol breaks down your inhibitions and judgment, which makes you that much less likely to resist the junk foods that you would otherwise be able to pass by.
4) Continue on with your new year’s resolutions!
Whether it is your goal to become healthier, achieve a career goal, finish your education, or simply training to run a 5K marathon, believe in yourself that you can do it! It is much easier to follow through by planning and taking small steps throughout your entire year. (Suggesting having a planner would be helpful and motivate you to do something everyday!) Don’t try to go cold turkey on anything and try to slowly cut back on certain things or improve on other aspects of your life. Every little effort will count in the long run!
 insta5
5) Pack up and go discover the world!
The new year represents new opportunities for everyone. Possibly a trip to a place you always wanted to visit? Plan it, save up, book it, and make sure to have your passport done a few months prior to your departure. (Minnesota now requires all people flying in states and international flights to have a passport so be aware.) Traveling to another place means you’ll get to discover other areas and experience different cultures!

Summer Countdown

do-the-summer-countdown-sprockets-saint-paul_crop

Here is a summer challenge to keep you motivated to stay healthy this summer! It can be easily done by taking small steps. The Countdown is fairly simple:

Days a Week of Active Play

New Places to Visit 

Fresh Fruits and Veggies Daily 

Summer Projects 

Time a day with a Good Book 

0 Soda pop – Drink more water

These points are great not only for youth and families but great to keep in mind as summer approaching –  Are your youth active? Are they eating healthy? Are they drinking enough water?

Do the Summer Countdown, even better do the DAILY countdown!!!!
Credits belong to original author.