Making – and Sticking to – Healthy New Year’s Resolutions

According to an annual survey, some 100-million Americans make New Year’s resolutions and these resolutions most frequently focus on assorted aspects of health improvement, such as losing weight and increasing exercise. Unfortunately, about four out of every five people who make resolutions fail to keep them. In an effort to better this ratio, Health Net, Inc., (NYSE: HNT) is sharing tips to help those with good intentions stick to their healthy New Year’s resolutions.

"Every year, so many of us make resolutions about diet, exercise and wellness then – more often than not – we just give up,” observes Jonathan Scheff, M.D., chief medical officer for Health Net, Inc. "The key to breaking this pattern,” he notes, "is to set more manageable and more realistic resolutions.”

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Cut back, don’t cut out

While losing weight is a perennial resolution priority, Scheff says people often set themselves up for failure by making certain foods, or food groups, completely off limits. "For example,” he explains, "instead of prohibiting yourself from having any candy, dessert, or carbohydrates, it’s wiser to simply cut back on those items. That way, you won’t feel deprived, and you’re more likely to stay on your diet.”

Scheff advises similar caution when it comes to diets that are highly restrictive, such as low-carbohydrate/high-protein diets. Not only will the dieter likely crave the restricted food items, but Scheff says low-carb diets generally serve as only a short-term-weight-loss solution and, because fatty foods are allowed, negative effects on heart health could result. "It’s much better,” notes Scheff, "to follow a well-balanced diet that focuses on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.”

Think outside the gym

Like losing weight, increasing exercise is a New Year’s resolution staple. Scheff points out that many people equate the goal of upping exercise to the need to join a gym, which isn’t necessarily the case. "While exercising at a gym is effective for many people,” he says, "many others join a gym only to find that they rarely have time to actually go, or they quickly tire of the gym atmosphere.” If that’s the case, Scheff suggests thinking outside the gym. "The key to success,” he says, "is to find a physical activity that you really enjoy. It could be walking, hiking, jogging, dancing, or swimming – what’s important is that you’re moving your body on a regular basis.”

Stamp out stress

Improving overall health is a common thread running through many New Year’s resolutions. Given this, Scheff observes that – if it’s not already on their list – people should resolve to reduce stress. "Research shows,” he says, "that stress can adversely impact your health.” Stress has been linked to gastrointestinal disorders, sleep disorders, hypertension, anxiety, and depression – to cite just a few examples. "Constant stress,” adds Scheff, "can also compromise the immune system and increase your susceptibility to colds and other infections.”

Continually keeping stress in check is crucial. Toward this end, Scheff suggests:

• Maintain a positive attitude and accept that there are events that you can’t control;
• Learn relaxation techniques, such as guided imagery or meditation;
• Exercise regularly, eat well-balanced meals, and get sufficient sleep;
• Don’t rely on alcohol or drugs to reduce stress;
• Seek professional help if stress is negatively impacting your daily life.

Aim for the achievable

Lastly, if you want to increase the odds of sticking to your healthy New Year’s resolutions, Scheff says to set your sights on what is truly achievable. "Be reasonable in your goals and don’t set the bar too high.” For example, he adds, "Don’t say you’re going to run a marathon. First commit to simply exercising three times a week. You can always increase your goal.”

And Scheff offers this final caution. "Don’t go into resolution overload. If you’ve made five resolutions, pare them down to two or three.”

About Health Net

Health Net, Inc. is among the nation’s largest publicly traded managed health care companies. Its mission is to help people be healthy, secure and comfortable. The company’s health plans and government contracts subsidiaries provide health benefits to approximately 6.6 million individuals across the country through group, individual, Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE and Veterans Affairs programs. Health Net’s behavioral health subsidiary, MHN, provides mental health benefits to approximately 6.5 million individuals in all 50 states. The company’s subsidiaries also offer managed health care products related to prescription drugs, and offer managed health care product coordination for multi-region employers and administrative services for medical groups and self-funded benefits programs.

For more information on Health Net, Inc., please visit the company’s Web site at www.healthnet.com.