My Five Unusual/Funny New Year's Resolutions

With the ringing of each New Year, people around the world create resolutions and strive to keep them. Common New Year's resolutions of dieting and exercising are made and often broken as time goes by. Choosing a realistic and achievable New Year's resolution can be quite a challenging task. Here are my five unusual, funny New Years's resolutions that I feel will be easier to keep than traditional resolutions.

Resolution Number 1: No diet resolutions.

Diets typically create images of severe sacrificing and excluding favorite foods completely, which often leads to frustration and ultimately failure of the diet. My resolution is to not make a diet resolution. Rather than follow a particular diet to improve health, I have made resolutions to add or increase the intake of particular foods that are known to lower cholesterol and high blood pressure, which lead to heart disease, the number 1 killer of men and women in the United States.

Resolution Number 2: Consume grapefruit on a daily basis.

Grapefruit has been said to lower blood pressure, cholesterol and high triglycerides. Grapefruit is loaded with Vitamin C, potassium and antioxidants. Grapefruit is also low in calories. Red grapefruit has more antioxidants which help to lower high triglycerides, but both white and red grapefruit are a great benefit. One to two grapefruits a day are recommended, or 1 cup of grapefruit juice. I have always liked grapefruit juice, so this should be an easy resolution for me to keep! Grapefruit can interact with some medicines, so it is best to check with a doctor if you are taking prescription medications.

Resolution Number 3: Eat oatmeal every day.

A few years ago I took the Oatmeal Challenge at work (you eat oatmeal every day for 30 days). I was a bit skeptical, and was pleasantly surprised when my cholesterol dropped from 220 to 180 after one month of eating oatmeal every day for 30 days. (The normal total cholesterol level is under 200). I have since gotten out of the habit of eating oatmeal every day. While my cholesterol is borderline, my goal is to keep my cholesterol within normal limits to avoid taking prescription medicines. Eating 5-10 grams of soluble fiber (found in oatmeal) is the amount suggested to reduce cholesterol. My plan is see how many different ways I can eat oatmeal to keep it interesting. Adding raising, nuts, and fruit seem like a good start, and adding my favorite, cinnamon!

Resolution Number 4: Eat more fish.

One of my all time favorite foods (That I do not eat enough of). Fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease and blood clots. My plan is to eat fish 2-3 times a week. Baking or grilling would be lower in calories, but any form of fish consumed can have health benefits.

Resolution Number 5: Listen to music while I work.

Music calms the savage beast, they say. Excessive stress leads to many healthy issues, including high blood pressure, migraines and more. My resolution is to reduce my stress level at work by playing calming music (no heavy metal, which may just exacerbate the stress level!). While this may not be possible in all jobs, for my job calming music will be just what I need during high frustration levels. No elevator music, perhaps some soft rock to lighten the day.

Getting a fresh start with New Year's resolutions can bring hope and motivation for an happy new year. I am looking forward to working on these New Year's resolutions, and will be striving to keep them all!.