Do You Remember that Game Red Light Green Light?

Do you remember that game Red Light Green Light? Ever play it as a kid? In the oh so special way my brain works, I started thinking of this childhood game with regards to resolutions.

Green Light!

• I am going to lose weight
• I am going workout every morning
• I am going to stop drinking alcohol
• I am going cook more
• I am going to get more sleep

Then life happens….RED LIGHT!

• Man I am tired, I am going to sleep in tomorrow
• Just one glass of wine…
• Ugh I hate running
• But I have such a sweet tooth! One piece of chocolate…
• I had not time to grocery shopping…lets just get take out

It is so easy fall off the wagon so lets change our perspective.

Set a green light goal for something you want. Your real goal. And make it super specific and clearly defined.

Whenever you fall off the wagon, imagine you are playing that childhood game and you hear me scream “Red Light!” – take a moment and acknowledge that you got off track…and then get back on the wagon and scream back to me “Green Light!” Get it?

A green light goal is something you want – be specific, clear, make it realistic and something you WANT to do.

1. I will workout Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 7 am.
2. I will eat two fist size portions of vegetables every day with lunch and dinner.
3. I will enjoy alcohol on Saturdays only and during the week I will drink herbal tea, bubbly water and regular water and coffee in the morning. Goal is “x” ounces of fluid per day.
4. I will fall asleep every night at “x”pm – choose your ideal bed time.
5. I will cook two nights a week.
6. I will focus on whole, real foods – I will read the ingredients on all labels and make sure I can understand them.
7. I will eat breakfast every day within an hour of waking up.
8. I will eat a mid afternoon snack every afternoon during the week and make sure there is protein.
9. I will eat whole grains to add fiber to my diet. A serving is 1/2 cup cooked – decide on a number of servings you want a day based on your lifestyle.
10. I will enjoy one dessert a week. It will be delicious and I will enjoy each bite.

See what I mean? Focus on what you want. Make it specific. And go for it! And when you fall off, get back on…because you can do this! And you are worth it! And you will so happy you made it happen.

Excited for what is to come. Green light!​
______________________________________________________________

Jae Berman, MS, RD, CSSD, serves as the Regional Registered Dietitian of The San Francisco Bay Club. As the nutrition expert and dietician for Western Athletic  Clubs, she thrives on helping people live healthier, stronger, more confident lives. With an extensive education in nutrition, Jae has been featured as an expert in Shape Magazine, Better Homes & Garden and more. Her background is in sports nutrition, weight loss counseling and disease management. She is also a personal trainer and yoga and Pilates instructor. Jae earned a master’s degree in Applied Physiology and Nutrition from Columbia University and completed her dietetic internship at UCSF Medical Center.