Overlooked Resolutions for Health: 3 Resolutions That Don’t Involve a Scale by Joyce Knestrick, CRNP, FAANP

Everyone has bad habits, and many are contemplating which to break after the ball drops. There are of course the popular no-brainers – exercise more, eat better – but there are many others that are just as important. Here are three resolutions people frequently overlook:

1. Break up with fad diets. Serial dieting, and worse, ping ponging between fad diets, is unsustainable. Instead of being on trend, think long term and focus on calories in, calories out and eating a variety of healthy foods.

2. Cut back the booze. Drinking too much can cause stroke, high blood pressure, liver disease and certain cancers. Anything more than six drinks a week puts you at risk for premature death, and the more you drink, the worse it gets, so practice moderation.

3. Quit mixing meds. Medications can be lifesaving – or life threatening. There’s a 50 percent chance of having an adverse reaction when you mix five medications, and a 100-percent risk when you mix eight. Talk to your provider about all the medicines you take to be sure they are not doing more harm than good.

Kick the new year off right by making healthy changes. If you’re stuck, your nurse practitioner can help!

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