Along with that resolution to join a gym or do more exercise, we all know that eating better should get equal billing. It’s now mid-January so like many of us, you’re in the process of fulfilling your New Year’s resolutions. You’ve joined a gym and started exercising more, but you may also be sabotaging this hard work. If you are making bad nutrition choices but putting the time in at the gym, all that hard work may be cancelled out by the food you’re taking in.  

 Also, many of us have the best intensions to eat right, eat less, make better choices starting in January, but by Valentines day it all get’s thrown out the window with that first box of candy (if not sooner).  To get some tips on how to sustain a good nutrition plan, I went to Emily DelConte, a Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Director at EVOLUTION Pilates and Nutrition right here in Bristol. I asked Emily what advice she gives her patients to help them stay on track for the whole year. Emily recommended the following five tips.

 1. Remember there are 12 months in a year, January is a good month to get started, but you have to pace yourself so you can continue to have motivation and stay on track for the rest of the year.

2.  Focus your resolutions on changing habits not a number on the scale. For example focus on eating breakfast everyday instead of focusing on getting to a specific weight.  Changing habits is more important for long term weight loss success.

3. Make sure that you are eating enough.  Sometimes getting too strict with your eating habits can hurt more than help.  Eating too little calories per day will put your body into a starvation mode and prevent weight loss. 

4.  Try new foods as well as new recipes.  This way you don't get bored with the foods you are eating and burn out by February.  Perhaps you have a plan to try one new recipe a week out of a specific cookbook.

5.  Create a weekly meal planner.  Our lives are so busy with work and family responsibilities that last minute meal choices aren't always the most nutritious.  Take some time on your day off to come up with a plan for the week and then do your grocery shopping and cooking according to your plan.  

 Nutrition, just like exercise, takes consistency to achieve the results you are looking for.  You must be patient, keep at it, and if you veer off track get back on and keep moving forward.  Most of us know what we need to do, but staying on track is always the biggest obstacle. Use these tips to help you stay on track and have a nutritious 2011.