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You are here: Home / Staying Motivated / How To Make a Successful New Year’s Resolution for Diabetes

How To Make a Successful New Year’s Resolution for Diabetes

January 8, 2021 By Toby Smithson

Want to make a New Year’s resolution related to managing your diabetes more effectively? First, learn how to make a resolution that’s likely to be successful.

Happy holidays…..I’m Toby with Diabetes EveryDay…. Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel and I’d love to have you as a subscriber to my newsletter too. You can find that link on my website, diabeteseveryday.com.

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So Christmas is over and maybe your diabetes management suffered some with all the food laying around since Halloween. Maybe the weather’s been unfavorable for your normal exercise.

Time for some massive changes….time for a comprehensive behavior turnaround by making that iconic New Year’s resolution. And really, could there be a better time to address all of your perceived lapses with diet and exercise in one swoop than January 1st, facing the worst of winter after having your whole life on a pandemic pause for 10 or 11 months? Throw in election adventures, uncertainty about a COVID relief package, stories about a mutated coronavirus….seems like the perfect time to overwhelm yourself with unreasonable expectations and guilt, doesn’t it?

Be Sure To Check Out – Eating Healthy During the Holidays With Diabetes

Well, of course, it’s not…New Year’s resolutions have a pretty poor record of success in the best of times. Every year I write about this and discourage us all to avoid promising ourselves things we can’t keep.

How can we keep up with our diabetes New Year’s resolutions?

Here’s a better idea……three easy steps. That is three small steps.

Step 1: choose which health goal you want to focus on. Start with one goal. Take some time to think it through. Don’t get hung up on New Year’s Day.

What’s most important to your health? Is it a healthy eating goal, a being active goal, or a checking blood sugar goal? These are just some examples. The key is to keep our goals small so they are achievable.  So if you want to lose weight, know that is a big goal and in order to achieve it, we need to break down the behaviors into goals. So let’s use the example of overall wanting to lose weight as our big goal

Step 2:  We want to make sure our goals are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Let’s look at the behaviors associated with our big goal of losing weight…We want to set up these goals following the SMART concept…

For a weight loss goal, We may want to try adding more activity to our day and set up our goal as “I will include at least 10 minutes of walking outside every other day and if the weather is not conducive, I will use an activity app or log into youtube for an exercise class in my house or apartment for at least 10 minutes every other day for the next four weeks.”

Step 3: Keep track– You know yourself best on what works and doesn’t work. To keep us on track we can set up reminders on our cell phones, calendars, apps, or an exercise journal for this particular goal we have set up. Once we have achieved the goal, it’s time to set up the next goal.

So…when we have been exercising for at least 10 minutes every other day, let’s move the time allotment to 15 or 20 minutes every other day or whatever feels comfortable to you for moving forward.

Be Sure To Check Out – Diabetes and Physical Activity- It’s Never Too Late to Get the Benefits

Just remember

I’ve just listed a three-step process for setting goals but there’s one more important point…have fun. If walking for 10 minutes doesn’t sound like fun, tweak the goal by adding a phone call to your walk to catch up with a friend or family member OR replace walking with dancing, put on some music in the house, and dance for 10 minutes.

We don’t want to feel overwhelmed as we typically won’t stick with our goal if it’s too big so if any of these ideas feel too overwhelming, scale it back to a smaller goal. Try not to get caught up in the New Year’s pressure, where commitments are likely to be spur of the moment, not specific enough, and too broad. Increase your chance for success….think it through first. Being successful will motivate you to set the next goal. I recently saw a quote that I love and want to share with you – Don’t wait until you reach your goal to be proud of yourself. Be proud of every step you take.

Until next time, Cheers to your health.

Don’t forget to take a look at our most frequently asked questions.

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Filed Under: Staying Motivated

Toby Smithson Diabetes Everyday

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Toby Smithson dynamically combines her knowledge as a certified diabetes educator and registered dietitian nutritionist with her life experiences successfully managing type 1 diabetes for more than five decades.

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May 25

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I have so many feel goods from attending and presenting at this conference. 
❤️sharing diabetes knowledge at my presentation on Monday morning.
❤️hearing on how the presentation impacted them from so many of the dietitians who attended. 
❤️learning from the amazing speakers at other sessions.
❤️learning and schmoozing with vendors at the expo.
❤️networking with fellow dietitians throughout the conference.
❤️And reuniting with my dietitian bestie. We were academy of nutrition and dietetics spokespeople together for 9 years. ❤️ 
Thank you Todays Dietitian Symposium for another fabulous conference! 
@todaysdietitian #TDinFL @sarahrdtv #dietitianlife #dietitianapproved

I have so many feel goods from attending and presenting at this conference.
❤️sharing diabetes knowledge at my presentation on Monday morning.
❤️hearing on how the presentation impacted them from so many of the dietitians who attended.
❤️learning from the amazing speakers at other sessions.
❤️learning and schmoozing with vendors at the expo.
❤️networking with fellow dietitians throughout the conference.
❤️And reuniting with my dietitian bestie. We were academy of nutrition and dietetics spokespeople together for 9 years. ❤️
Thank you Todays Dietitian Symposium for another fabulous conference!
@todaysdietitian #TDinFL @sarahrdtv #dietitianlife #dietitianapproved
...

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May 25

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Love this message from DJ. Dietitians do promote food first but … there are times that it’s not food only. @djblatner @todaysdietitian #TDinFL @nowfoodsofficial

Love this message from DJ. Dietitians do promote food first but … there are times that it’s not food only. @djblatner @todaysdietitian #TDinFL @nowfoodsofficial ...

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May 24

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Look for “live and active cultures” especially on yogurt for it to be a probiotic. @katescarlata #TDinFL @todaysdietitian #guthealth #diabetes #diabetesmanagement @activia

Look for “live and active cultures” especially on yogurt for it to be a probiotic. @katescarlata #TDinFL @todaysdietitian #guthealth #diabetes #diabetesmanagement @activia ...

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May 24

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Curious? Are you currently including fermented foods to your diet for gut health? 
Fermented foods: may be healthy for microbiome. 
Increase gut microbial diversity to improve gut health.  I’ve been adding 1/4 cup serving of kimchi to my lunch which is one serving. Listening to @katescarlata #TDinFL #guthealth #kimchi #diabetes #diabetesmanagement @todaysdietitian

Curious? Are you currently including fermented foods to your diet for gut health?

Fermented foods: may be healthy for microbiome.
Increase gut microbial diversity to improve gut health. I’ve been adding 1/4 cup serving of kimchi to my lunch which is one serving. Listening to @katescarlata #TDinFL #guthealth #kimchi #diabetes #diabetesmanagement @todaysdietitian
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May 24

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Enjoyed presenting @todaysdietitian symposium this morning. I’ve received many kudos through the day regarding how much the information impacted the audience. ❤️ Thank you for sharing your personal stories about diabetes. Presented alongside Dr Bev. #TDinFL #diabetes #cognitivedistortions #diabeteslife #livingwithdiabetes #diabetes

Enjoyed presenting @todaysdietitian symposium this morning. I’ve received many kudos through the day regarding how much the information impacted the audience. ❤️ Thank you for sharing your personal stories about diabetes. Presented alongside Dr Bev. #TDinFL #diabetes #cognitivedistortions #diabeteslife #livingwithdiabetes #diabetes ...

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May 23

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Learning about dietary supplements labeling. Important to note that a supplement cannot make a claim that it will cure, treat, or prevent conditions like diabetes. #TDinFL @todaysdietitian @blackswanneats

Learning about dietary supplements labeling. Important to note that a supplement cannot make a claim that it will cure, treat, or prevent conditions like diabetes. #TDinFL @todaysdietitian @blackswanneats ...

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May 23

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Presenting Beyond The Textbook- putting the AWE in awesome Diabetes Care: accepting, well being, and empowerment very soon @todaysdietitian symposium with my co presenter Dr Bev. #TDinFL

Presenting Beyond The Textbook- putting the AWE in awesome Diabetes Care: accepting, well being, and empowerment very soon @todaysdietitian symposium with my co presenter Dr Bev. #TDinFL ...

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May 22

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I’m off to speak at a conference. Hoping that when I get back, my tomatoes will be ripe and ready to eat. I’m already meal planning. Thinking of combining my home grown tomatoes, cucumber and onions with rice vinegar dill weed and a packet of low calorie sweetener to make a low carb side dish. 😋 
#tomato #tomatowellness #cucumber #lowcarbsides #diabetes #diabetesfriendly #garden #freshveggies

I’m off to speak at a conference. Hoping that when I get back, my tomatoes will be ripe and ready to eat. I’m already meal planning. Thinking of combining my home grown tomatoes, cucumber and onions with rice vinegar dill weed and a packet of low calorie sweetener to make a low carb side dish. 😋
#tomato #tomatowellness #cucumber #lowcarbsides #diabetes #diabetesfriendly #garden #freshveggies
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May 22

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Excited to pick and eat a cucumber from our garden. Love this low carb veggie that provides fiber, potassium, magnesium, vitamin c and lots of vitamin k. Simple pleasures… sliced the cucumber in my black bean taco salad tonight. #diabetesfriendly #diabetes #cucumber #gardenveggies #joysofgardening

Excited to pick and eat a cucumber from our garden. Love this low carb veggie that provides fiber, potassium, magnesium, vitamin c and lots of vitamin k. Simple pleasures… sliced the cucumber in my black bean taco salad tonight. #diabetesfriendly #diabetes #cucumber #gardenveggies #joysofgardening ...

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May 20

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Best reason in the whole wide world on why I took a break from social media! Spent time with our 4 boys+ 4 daughter in laws + our 2 very very special granddaughters. #family #laughter #relaxation #familyvacation #wearefamily❤️

Best reason in the whole wide world on why I took a break from social media! Spent time with our 4 boys+ 4 daughter in laws + our 2 very very special granddaughters. #family #laughter #relaxation #familyvacation #wearefamily❤️ ...

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Apr 27

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Are you bored with what you are eating? Need some inspo plus a huge health benefit? I’m in! This information is good for EVERYONE. Link to latest video in my bio. 
Do you have any favorite go to recipes or meals? Please comment below. 
#mealppanning #mealplanningmadeeasy #diabetes #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #prediabetes #recipes

Are you bored with what you are eating? Need some inspo plus a huge health benefit? I’m in! This information is good for EVERYONE. Link to latest video in my bio.
Do you have any favorite go to recipes or meals? Please comment below.

#mealppanning #mealplanningmadeeasy #diabetes #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #prediabetes #recipes
...

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Apr 22

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More of my earth day experiences. 🌎🌲🍃🌱
#earthday #earthdayeveryday #lovetheland #mothernature #portroyalsound #lovethesea

More of my earth day experiences. 🌎🌲🍃🌱
#earthday #earthdayeveryday #lovetheland #mothernature #portroyalsound #lovethesea
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Apr 22

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Celebrating earth day all week ( honestly everyday here) with: 
🌻 attending a flower arrangement class to prepare for selling our homegrown flowers at our farmers market.
🌻Walking on the bluff in our neighborhood this morning.
🌻Enjoying views of wildlife as I walk my dog. 
🌻and tending to my vegetable garden.
Happy Earth Day! Stay beautiful. #earthday #earthday2022 #earthdayeveryday #physicalactivity #joy

Celebrating earth day all week ( honestly everyday here) with:
🌻 attending a flower arrangement class to prepare for selling our homegrown flowers at our farmers market.
🌻Walking on the bluff in our neighborhood this morning.
🌻Enjoying views of wildlife as I walk my dog.
🌻and tending to my vegetable garden.
Happy Earth Day! Stay beautiful. #earthday #earthday2022 #earthdayeveryday #physicalactivity #joy
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Apr 21

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Check out this program for lowering cholesterol conducted by two registered dietitians. More info @nutritionunique @sarahrdtv 
#cholesterol #cholesterollowering #dietitianapproved

Check out this program for lowering cholesterol conducted by two registered dietitians. More info @nutritionunique @sarahrdtv
#cholesterol #cholesterollowering #dietitianapproved
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Apr 21

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⬆️ definitely a topic to pay attention to… don’t let some of your eating habits get in the way of keeping your bones healthy and strong. TY @graciouslynourished and @eatthisnotthat for using my insight. #bonehealth #eatinghabits #reducesodiumintake #osteoporosis #osteoporosisprevention @kin.di_rd @freshnutritionny

⬆️ definitely a topic to pay attention to… don’t let some of your eating habits get in the way of keeping your bones healthy and strong. TY @graciouslynourished and @eatthisnotthat for using my insight. #bonehealth #eatinghabits #reducesodiumintake #osteoporosis #osteoporosisprevention @kin.di_rd @freshnutritionny ...

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Apr 19

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Should I? I get this question asked… should I be taking supplements? Find out the answer in my latest YouTube video. Link located in my bio under linktr.ee/tobysmithson 
Are you taking any supplements ? #supplements #diabetes #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #typeonediabetes #diabeteseducation #diabetesmanagement

Should I? I get this question asked… should I be taking supplements? Find out the answer in my latest YouTube video. Link located in my bio under linktr.ee/tobysmithson

Are you taking any supplements ? #supplements #diabetes #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #typeonediabetes #diabeteseducation #diabetesmanagement
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Apr 18

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Spring clean up time for my spice rack! Every year when Passover approaches, it’s a double reminder for me to clean out my refrigerator, cabinets and spices! Rule of thumb is to replace ground spices annually. 📝🗓 
When is the last time you threw away spices?
#spices #springcleaning #springcleaningtips #whenindoubtthrowitout

Spring clean up time for my spice rack! Every year when Passover approaches, it’s a double reminder for me to clean out my refrigerator, cabinets and spices! Rule of thumb is to replace ground spices annually. 📝🗓
When is the last time you threw away spices?
#spices #springcleaning #springcleaningtips #whenindoubtthrowitout
...

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Apr 16

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To those who celebrate Passover, Chag Pesach Sameach! 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷

To those who celebrate Passover, Chag Pesach Sameach! 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 ...

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Apr 14

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I know it’s not the photo you’d expect for National Gardening Day. I’ll make sure to post the beautiful veggie plants growing in a post later.
THIS is my new adventure for my garden this year! Attempting to grow edamame. 👩‍🌾
#nationalgardeningday #gardening #soybean #edamame #eatyourveggies #physicalactivity #diabetesmanagement

I know it’s not the photo you’d expect for National Gardening Day. I’ll make sure to post the beautiful veggie plants growing in a post later.
THIS is my new adventure for my garden this year! Attempting to grow edamame. 👩‍🌾

#nationalgardeningday #gardening #soybean #edamame #eatyourveggies #physicalactivity #diabetesmanagement
...

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Apr 12

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How do YOU feel when your blood sugar is above target? Details are in this weeks video. Tap on linktr.ee/tobysmithson in my bio to get to the video.
If you could only use two words to describe how an above target blood sugar feels… what would it be?
#diabetes #diabetesawareness #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #prediabetes #bloodsugar #highbloodsugar #diabeteseducation

How do YOU feel when your blood sugar is above target? Details are in this weeks video. Tap on linktr.ee/tobysmithson in my bio to get to the video.
If you could only use two words to describe how an above target blood sugar feels… what would it be?

#diabetes #diabetesawareness #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #prediabetes #bloodsugar #highbloodsugar #diabeteseducation
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