Every year, almost everyone makes New Year’s resolutions and bulk of the resolutions have something to do with dieting or switching to healthy food. In reality, most of us lack the ability to follow-through on the quest to be healthy and fit. But, if you are decided on being the best and healthiest version of yourself this 2017, here are a few tips to get you started:

• Choose water Believe it or not, most of the fat and sugar that goes into are body isn’t from the food that we eat, but from the drinks that we choose. This 2017, nix the sugary iced teas and sodas and opt for just plain water. When it comes to your coffee, take it black if you can. The non-dairy creamer and the white sugar, plus the syrups you put in are just no good for your health.

• Know what goes into your food The road to real health starts in the kitchen. When you choose to be in control of what’s in your food, you are in control of your health. Preparing your own food means you are in control of everything from the oil being used to the condiments being put in. Bottomline, a meal is not just what meat or what vegetables are in it. The battle is in the things you don’t see when you are being served in a restaurant. Are they using non-chemically extracted oil? Are they using MSG-laden condiments? True, some restaurants will tell you they don’t use MSG, but when you look at the vinegar or soy sauce they use, you’d be surprised where there’s hidden MSG.

• Don’t starve yourself! Try not to starve yourself just to lose weight. After a while it becomes counterproductive. You starve yourself, you lose weight, then you celebrate or go back to your normal way of eating and gain the weight back. Just eat truly healthily and watch your body change.

• Get out of your chair and get active! In 2017, stop being a couch potato and choose to move. Whether it’s cardio (e.g. running, zumba, swimming, etc.) or weight training or recreational sports that require more physical activity, just choose to be active.

Everyone makes excuses, but then there are those who choose to do something about their health. Which one will you be? The decision is yours. Happy 2017!