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Published on December 18, 2024
University of Minnesota Experts Offer Realistic Health and Fitness Guidance for the New YearSource: Unsplash / Greg Rosenke

As the calendar pages turn and we find ourselves staring down the barrel of a new year, it's not just the inevitable pop of New Year's Eve champagne we can anticipate, but also the surge of enthusiasm for self-improvement that comes with it. According to a recent feature by the University of Minnesota, the experts have chimed in with some sound advice for those looking to cultivate a healthier lifestyle in 2025.

Shifting gears from the sedentary lifestyle scores of us have become all too accustomed to, Katie Schuver, a lecturer with a deep investment in physical activity and health promotion, underscores the importance of movement. She suggests, "Try setting realistic goals to get active throughout the day: cut back on screen time, opt for stairs instead of elevators, park further away to increase steps, walk or stand whenever you’re on the phone." as quoted by a University of Minnesota article. Moreover, she posits the benefits of integrating activity into one's social life and harnessing technology for motivation and accountability.

Except, it's not just about getting off the couch, there's also significant value placed on what we put on our plates. Joanne Slavin, a professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, punctures the bubble of fad diets and magic solutions. She remarked, "Many people make weight loss resolutions with a new magic potion, but that’s just not realistic," in statements obtained by the same University source. She emphasizes a balanced approach, warning against the hazards that come with extreme dietary overhauls.

The credentials of the sources are noteworthy, with Schuver hailed for her expertise in melding physical activity with mental health strategies, and Slavin renowned for her holistic take on nutrition, both sourced from their respective colleges within the University of Minnesota. The university's College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences is championed for its dedication to sustainable practices and its history of pioneering scientific discoveries. Simultaneously, the College of Education and Human Development is noted for its engagement with the community and focus on challenges ranging from educational equity to healthy aging.

For those crafting their lists of resolutions, the insights from these two women emerge as a beacon of practical advice tailored to foster lasting change. As we prepare to usher in 2025 with renewed vigor and the albeit clichéd yet ever-persistent promise of "New Year, New Me," these experts from the University of Minnesota are guiding lights towards a healthier, more active future, one small step at a time.