New Year’s Resolutions: Accountability

Accountability Holds You to Your Goals

New Year’s Resolutions almost always have something to do with health. Whether it’s to lose weight, maintain your weight or get into the gym more. At your local gym, I’m sure you’ll see a very busy January! But what happens after January? What happens as we get into March, April and finally summertime? Nothing. Most New Year’s resolutions are short-lived. We tend to get really excited and fired up at the beginning but then we lose our steam. Our lives get busy, we lose interest, etc. If there is one thing that you can add on to your New Year’s health resolution this year its accountability.

Keeping up with and monitoring progress toward your goals is the only way to get there. Checking in, talking it over and having someone help you out if you get stuck, burn out or just need a new road to get there is so important! If the saying “you are what you eat” is true, then I’d like to introduce you to the Doctors of the future, Registered Dietitians.

A Registered Dietitian (RD) is different than a “Nutritionist”. The term “nutritionist” in most states is not a regulated term, meaning that anyone can claim to be one. An RD must have a Bachelor of Science degree from an American Dietetic Association (ADA) accredited university, they must have completed a supervised practice internship (much like a medical residency) at a medical center or hospital and then they must pass the RD Exam. Only then can they be called a Registered Dietitian. Think of it this way, “RD” stands for “Real-Deal.”

Did you know that most insurance companies will cover sessions with a Registered Dietitian? If you have a certain diagnosis codes like high cholesterol, diabetes, overweight, anorexia or even pregnancy or depression, they may cover unlimited sessions per year! But even if they don’t cover a dime, this is still an investment you need to make each year. Meeting with an RD once per quarter throughout the year provides you with accountability and “insurance” in a way. If you are trying to lose weight they can hook you up with a meal plan, nutrition education and nutrient analysis of the foods you’re eating. There’s a reason why diets don’t work and why people gain their weight back, and it goes beyond “calories in, calories out.” The only ones who know this little secret are RD’s. Not “Nutritionists”, not your sister, not your trainer. And if you aren’t trying to lose weight, take those sessions to educate yourself about new foods, the science behind metabolism and digestion, or just as health check-ins. RD’s take a minimum of 5 years worth of courses about food, chemistry and physiology…so pick their brains!
Here’s to a New Year, and a New You!

Blessings,

Ashley

For a list of RD's in your area, please use the link to the right "Find a Nutrition Professional" which will lead you to the ADA website to search by zipcode, specialty, etc.