Why do we always have to start a new health kick on a Monday, the first day of the month, or first of the year? It’s a mind trick, because January 1 is no different from any other day of the year. (And this year it fell on a Tuesday!) But we have it stuck in our heads that each year we need to resolve to be healthier, eat better, or exercise more. Instead of making resolutions that undoubtedly fail us because they aren’t lifestyle changes, how about we make small steps to reach a simple goal?

If you haven’t met your resolutions in the past, start 2013 with the goal of doing better than you did in 2012. That’s it! Just take a little bit better care of yourself than you have been. Studies suggest that small changes are the real players when it comes to permanent lifestyle changes. So, add a piece of fruit to one snack each day. Add exercise one day per week. Allow yourself a day of relaxation. If you make these small changes each week, you’re bound to build a lifetime habit that is a permanent change, and simply helps you feel better! Happy New Year!