Why Waiting for the New Year to Focus on Your Health Might Not Be the Best Idea
This morning I booked my car in for a service. There’s nothing wrong with it—it’s running smoothly, but it’s gone over the recommended kms. As I was waiting to make the booking, it struck me: there are only 141 days until the New Year!
Many of us see January 1st as a fresh start, the perfect time to kick off new health goals, especially when it comes to diet and diabetes management.
But what if, like with my car, we need to check in sooner?
The Importance of Regular Check-Ins
Just as regular car maintenance is essential to prevent breakdowns, routine check-ins on your health are crucial. You wouldn’t wait until your car breaks down to service it, so why wait until the New Year to address your health? A proactive approach can help you stay ahead of potential issues, ensuring that your body is running as smoothly as possible.
Why Now?
The New Year is a popular time for setting goals, but waiting until January to start or adjust your diabetes management plan might mean missing out on opportunities to optimise your health. By taking a moment now to review your dietary intake, meal planning, activity and overall management plan, you can make small adjustments that could have a big impact on how you feel heading into the holiday season—and the New Year.
Steps to Take Today
Schedule a Review: Set up a time to review your dietary intake and diabetes management. This could include your dietary intake with a dietitian, your activity with an exercise physiologist, your doctor to review your management and suggest any adjustments to your medication.
Reflect on Your Current Routine: Are there areas where you feel your routine could be improved? Maybe you've noticed that it’s been hard to get moving during winter, or you are busy being busy and have not been as organised with your food intake as you were earlier in the year?
Set Realistic Goals: Rather than waiting for the New Year to make a big change, consider setting smaller, manageable goals that you can start working on now. This might involve incorporating more physical activity into your day, trying out new recipes, creating a weekly meal plan and appropriate shopping list.
Plan for the Holidays: The holiday season can be a challenging time to manage diabetes. By preparing now, you can develop a strategy to enjoy the season while keeping your health on track.
Conclusion
Taking care of your health doesn’t have to wait for a specific date on the calendar. Just as your car needs regular maintenance, your body requires ongoing attention to stay in peak condition. By scheduling a review now, you’re setting yourself up for success—both for the remainder of this year and as you head into the next.
Don’t wait for the New Year to make your health a priority. Start today, each day counts!