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  2. Healthiest Year Yet

Make 2012 Your Healthiest Year Yet with the President's CouncilMake 2012 Your Healthiest Year Yet with the President's Council

Look no further than the President's Council for resources, daily tips, and more, as you commit to a healthy lifestyle for 2012.

  • Follow PCFSN on Twitter at @FitnessGov Exit Disclaimer for daily news and updates from PCFSN, Council members, and partner organizations.
  • Earn your PALA+ this year. Combine 30-60 minutes of exercise (30 minutes for adults, 60 minutes for children) five days a week for six out of eight weeks, with a new healthy eating goal each week.
  • Get inspired with the work others are doing. Learn more with news updates about PCFSN and Council members committed to improving the health and fitness of all Americans.

The start of a new year is always a great reminder for us to reflect on the past year and set realistic goals for the next 12 months. Commit to making 2012 your healthiest year yet with the President's Council. Regardless of age or ability level, each of us can achieve a healthy lifestyle by incorporating physical activity and good nutrition.

According to one study, nearly one in three people aim to lose weight and get fit as their New Year's resolution. Unfortunately, approximately 50 percent all people making a New Year's resolution report no change. Work with the President's Council this January to set attainable, daily goals as you turn your resolutions into reality.

Sign up today Exit Disclaimer to earn your Presidential Active Lifestyle Award: Activity + Nutrition (PALA+) and make physical activity and good nutrition part of your daily routine. It's easier than you think! PALA+ combines daily physical activity goals (30 minutes per day for adults and 60 minutes per day for children) with healthy eating goals. Stay accountable by tracking your physical activity and nutrition goals on a printable form (also available in Spanish) or online.

Council member Cornell McClellan, trainer to the First Family, shares his tips for starting 2012 on the right foot:

  • Use salad plates for your meal instead of a dinner plate. A smaller plate will help with portion control.
  • Make exercise a family affair. Physical activity is more than the gym and classes. Dancing, walking, or ice skating with your family provides great physical activity opportunities, and is a great way to spend time with your loved ones.
  • Mental roadblocks can stall your progress to physical fitness. Overcome these barriers by starting small – walking 5 minutes every day will soon turn into 50 minutes.
  • Have a clear goal in mind – whether it is being active a certain amount of time each week or attending a set number of fitness classes. Committing to a program like PALA+, which focuses on both physical activity and good nutrition, will help you track your goals.
  • Relieve stress and tension with physical activity. Being active can boost your endorphins and distract you from daily worries during the long winter months.
  • If you're concerned about overindulging when going out to a party or function, eat a small snack beforehand - this will make you less likely to overeat during the party.
  • Prioritize your health. It’s important to find time to be physically active and eating healthy. Consider waking up earlier in the morning, fitting in physical activity over a lunch break, and scheduling time for your workouts on your daily calendar.
  • Know what motivates you. We’re all motivated by something different – by our families, by our jobs, by ourselves. Once you find out what in your life motivates you, relate it to the benefit that will come from physical activity and enhance your life.
  • Physical activity doesn’t have to be something we dread. Try a new sport or workout class to break out of your normal exercise routine.
  • Can’t make it to the gym? Fit exercise into your daily routine by taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking away from the building to walk more, or exergaming instead of sitting on the couch and watching TV.
  • Keep your healthy eating goals where you can see them. Try printing out your PALA+ log and hanging it on your refrigerator as a reminder of your weekly goal. There are eight to pick from!