Hacks for Keeping Your Health-Related New Year’s Resolutions
Every year, millions of us resolve to get healthier — lose weight, exercise more, or simply adopt a better lifestyle. Yet, statistics show that most of these lofty New Year’s resolutions fizzle out by mid-February. This often happens because we set unrealistic goals without a clear plan to achieve them. But there’s hope! By using clearly defined strategies and creative hacks for keeping New Year’s resolutions, you can not only achieve your goals for the year but also make them a lasting part of your life.
Remember, health goals shouldn’t just be about how you look; they should focus on how you feel and how well your body (and organs) are functioning. Creating thoughtful wellness strategies will enhance your entire well-being, including in often-overlooked areas such as kidney health. With these tips for keeping New Year resolutions, you’ll be ready to tackle your resolutions head-on and make 2025 your healthiest year yet.
Creative Ways to Get Moving When You Can’t Do a Traditional Workout
If the idea of hitting the gym makes you (or your packed schedule) groan, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are plenty of fun and easy ways to get moving that don’t feel like a workout:
- Dance around the house. Whether it’s to your favorite playlist or a silly TikTok routine, dancing burns calories and lifts your mood.
- Walk in place or ride a stationary bike while watching TV. This is multitasking at its best. Keep moving during commercial breaks or binge-watching sessions.
- Play with your kids or pets. Toss a ball, go for a walk, run around the yard, or join in a game of tag. “Sneaky fitness” can be fun for the whole family.
- Incorporate movement into errands. Park farther away from your destination, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or choose your bike over your car to run small errands.
- Participate in a local fundraising walk. Events such as charity walks get you moving while contributing to a good cause — another multitasking hack!
Walking More: The Ultimate Exercise Hack
Walking is one of the simplest yet most effective forms of exercise. It’s free, requires no special equipment or fitness level, and can be done almost anywhere. Walking offers a jaw-dropping multitude of benefits, including:
- Weight loss
- Better mood and reduced stress
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Increased endurance
- Higher energy levels
- Stronger bones
- Reduced risk of general illness and certain cancers, such as breast cancer
- Longer life expectancy
Walking for Kidney Health
Walking is especially beneficial for your kidneys. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects millions of people, but engaging in regular physical activity such as walking can significantly reduce your risk. Walking supports healthy blood pressure and blood sugar levels, both of which are vital for kidney function. By incorporating more steps into your day, you’re not only boosting overall health but also protecting these critical organs. If someone you care about is suffering from poor kidney health or overall health, consider asking them to walk with you on a regular basis.
Boost Your Health and Help Others by Participating in a Fundraiser Walk
Participating in a nonprofit kidney walk (or any fundraiser walk) is a fun way to stick to your health goal plan while making a difference in your community. Here’s why your first step should be Googling “walking fundraisers near me”:
- Get some exercise the easy way — no gym session needed.
- Reap all the health benefits of walking.
- Support an important cause, helping not just yourself but your community.
- Benefit from the mental health boost that comes with doing good.
- Enjoy the company of others while you walk, including friends or family who participate with you as well as people in your community.
- Get the accountability you need to keep your health goals by registering early and committing to participation.
Fundraising walk events can also serve as motivational milestones, giving you something to train for and look forward to. Plus, because they’re geared toward groups of friends and family members, you can encourage the people you care about to build a healthier lifestyle with you.
Be Alabama Strong in 2025: Participate in AKF Kidney Walks
For Alabama residents, participating in a kidney walk with the Alabama Kidney Foundation (AKF) can be all the more vital for kicking off your health journey in 2025. That’s because Alabamians are among the most at-risk individuals in the nation for developing chronic kidney disease. Successful kidney fundraising walks not only support kidney disease prevention and treatment but also raise public awareness about the risk factors for kidney disease and encourage healthier lifestyle habits across entire communities.
Keeping your health-related New Year’s resolutions doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By finding creative ways to get moving, walking more, and participating in fundraiser walks, you can turn your goals into long-term habits — and help those around you prevent kidney disease and live healthier lives.
Achieve Your 2025 Health Goals the Fun Way With AKF
Alabama ranks first in the number of dialysis patients per capita in the United States, and over 1,000 Alabama residents are currently waiting for a kidney transplant. AKF provides education, support services, and financial assistance to low-income kidney dialysis patients. The foundation also provides statewide education to promote organ donation awareness and the prevention of kidney disease.
Let us help you keep your New Year’s resolutions! Join us for our Spring 2025 Kidney Walk and Celebration events. Register for any walk to participate as an individual, team, or sponsor. Event dates and locations are below:
UMS-Wright Preparatory School
Dr. Robert Shurney Legacy Center
Samford University Track & Field
Westgate Park Kiwanis Pavilion
April 26: The Shoals (Florence)
River Heritage Park
Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium
