Start the New Year Strong

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Start the New Year Strong: How Your PCP Can Help You Set Realistic Health Goals

The start of a new year is a great time to look back and figure out what you’d like to accomplish in the year to come. For many of us, that includes a health-related goal. The Pew Research Center reports that 79% of New Year’s Resolutions are health-related, but by the end of January, most people will abandon them.

Working with your primary care provider (PCP) can help you set tangible health goals and provide built-in accountability and an actionable plan for achieving them. In this article, we’ll explore how and why you should talk to your primary care provider about your resolutions!

Why You Should Set Health Goals with Your PCP

When you visit your PCP for your annual wellness checkup, you discuss your physical and mental health, along with anything else health-related that may be concerning you. When you see them for sick visits, they listen as you discuss intimate details of your body and mind. Over time, your PCP gets to know you through your chart and during your appointments.

That’s why your PCP is one of the best resources to consult when establishing new healthy habits, trying a new diet or exercise routine or simply renewing your overall health goals.

Your PCP team will help you by:

  • Discussing how to achieve your goals
  • Conducting various health screenings and tests to establish a baseline
  • Referring you to specialists, like a nutrition counselor, for education and assistance
  • Reviewing your current health and family history to identify areas for improvement
  • Offering guidance on nutrition, physical activity, sleep, preventive screenings and how to accomplish healthy lifestyle changes
  • Providing ongoing support and monitoring to keep you accountable throughout the year

How a PCP Can Help You Set Smart Health Goals

When you think of your primary care team, you likely don’t associate them with New Year’s Resolutions. But as your health care providers, they’re your built-in accountability partners. They’re in this with you for life.

Most people abandon their resolutions quickly because:

  • The goal was too unrealistic
  • There was no action plan in place
  • There was no support or accountability in place to keep them motivated

But your primary care team can help you navigate these common hurdles by:

  • Assessing your current health compared to your desired goal and timeline to ensure your goal is safe and achievable
  • Mapping out a step-by-step plan to reach your goals
  • Referring you to specialists for further testing and education about your health

Examples of Achievable Health Goals

Some New Year’s health goals focus on mobility and movement, better nutrition, mental well-being, stress reduction or setting new standards for self-care.

Some of the most common health goals people set for the new year include:

  • Better adherence to prescribed medications
  • Building more body strength
  • Creating a better work-life balance
  • Cutting down on sugary or fatty foods
  • Drinking more water each day for better hydration
  • Eating more fruits and veggies, and less processed foods
  • Focusing on lowering your blood pressure or cholesterol levels
  • Losing weight
  • Prioritizing sleep and adopting better nighttime routines
  • Scheduling time for self-care throughout the week and sticking to it
  • Setting up an exercise regimen and sticking to it
  • Sitting less and moving more throughout the day
  • Starting a method for stress management, such as yoga, meditation or journaling
  • Taking measures to improve sleep quality and quantity each night
  • Tracking what you eat through a food journal

Your primary care physician can help you identify the goals and map the milestones that are realistic and safe for your body.

10 Tips for Meeting Your Goals

If you’re setting health goals, here are some tried-and-true tips to help you start strong and stay committed all year long:

  1. Always make sure to set SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. For example, instead of saying "I want to drink less soda," set your goal as "I plan to drink only two sugar-free sodas a week for the next six months."
  2. Build a routine so that any lifestyle changes you make become daily habits rather than chores.
  3. Celebrate even the smallest wins to help you stay motivated!
  4. Don’t go 0 to 100 in a day. Gradually introduce change and give yourself time to let yourself adjust and flourish in your new regimen.
  5. Find a partner, like a family member or neighbor, who has a similar health goal so you can keep each other going.
  6. Have patience with yourself and remember setbacks may happen, but don’t let that permanently derail progress.
  7. Modify your goal periodically as you gain (or lose) momentum to stay on course with your overall well-being.
  8. Remember your "why.” Why did you set this goal, and what will it mean to you and your health if you achieve it?
  9. Schedule follow-ups with your PCP to monitor progress.
  10. Use tracking tools or apps to monitor your progress.

The AdventHealth Primary Care+ Advantage

Support from your PCP is key not only to setting your health goals but also to getting the guidance you need to make the right choices and stay accountable.

Choosing AdventHealth Primary Care+ means you’ll also get:

  • Access to the entire AdventHealth network of health care specialists
  • Compassionate, personalized approach to ensure long-term success
  • Convenience of same-day appointments, extended hours and virtual visits
  • Full preventive care guidance and comprehensive primary care services
  • Onsite labs and other diagnostic testing for quick feedback on health metrics
  • Whole-person care for your body, mind and spirit

Frequently Asked Questions About Setting Health Goals with Your PCP

What services can my PCP provide to help me set health goals?

Your PCP can offer a variety of services to support your physical health, including health screenings, lifestyle counseling and referrals to specialists such as nutrition counselors, sleep clinics or therapies and fitness programs. They’ll help you create realistic goals that promote long-term good health.

How can a PCP help me improve my eating habits?

Your primary care provider can assess your current diet, discuss how your eating habits affect your overall health and provide personalized guidance or referrals to a registered dietitian. Small, sustainable changes can lead to significant health benefits over time.

Can a PCP help me track my progress toward health goals?

Yes! Your PCP can monitor your progress through regular check-ins, lab tests, and physical exams. They’ll help you adjust your goals as needed to ensure you stay on track toward achieving better physical health and overall well-being.

Why is setting health goals with a PCP important?

Working with your PCP ensures your goals are realistic, personalized, and backed by medical guidance. Setting health goals can improve your physical health, prevent chronic conditions, and maximize the long-term health benefits of your daily choices.

AdventHealth Primary Care+ Supports Your Health and Your Goals

The new year is a great time to wipe the slate clean and start the year off strong with health goals that are specific, realistic, measurable and meet your personal health care needs. Setting these wellness goals and following through on them not only assists you with having a healthier lifestyle, but also helps you build confidence, self-esteem and self-discipline.

Schedule an AdventHealth Primary Care+ appointment to set your health goals for the year. Find a primary care team near you to set yourself and your goals up for the next year!

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