NACOGDOCHES – New Year’s resolutions are a time-honored tradition of the holidays.

Among the most common are those related to transitioning to healthier lifestyle choices related to exercise. While exercise is a prime component to living a healthier life and reducing risk factors for many serious health conditions, healthy eating choices are perhaps even more important, said Dr. Rodolfo J. Oviedo, MD, FACS, FRCS, FICS, FASMBS, DABS-FPDMBS, Medical Director of Bariatric Surgical Services and Robotics Program at NMC.

“Obesity plays a major factor in a wide array of critical health issues ranging from diabetes to stroke. There is no time like the present for those interested in losing weight and control or eradicate their obesity-associated diseases to consider options beyond traditional means of only diet and exercise,” he said.

While it is true that most New Year’s resolutions end in failure, small changes in diet and other lifestyle choices can lead to big results over time, Dr. Oviedo said.

“People start so strong, and they want to give 110 percent. They want to work hard, and they want to make changes, so they try to exercise seven days a week,” he said. “They completely stop eating certain meals and that’s where we see people not staying with their resolution. They want to make a change that is temporary and fast, but what we teach all the time is lifestyle change. This is something you’re doing for the rest of your life.”

In fact, eliminating favorite foods is counter-productive to making long-term healthy diet changes, Dr. Oviedo said.

“Trying to completely cut out specific foods from your diet, especially those you enjoy, is not a recipe for long-term success,” he said. “Instead, we should all be thinking about portion control and moderation. Small changes, like cutting back on drinks like sodas and sweet tea, are simple to commit to and can show significant results over time.”

In addition to diet and exercise, the Nacogdoches Weight Loss Center, from NMC, offers surgical options to help local residents reach their weight loss goals and live healthier lives.

“Having a center that is fully accredited by the American College of Surgeons’ Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) is an extraordinary accomplishment for Nacogdoches Medical Center, for Nacogdoches, for the East Texas community, and all of us who believe in patient care with compassion and state-of-the-art expertise,” he said. “What we try to do is educate our patients on what the procedures are about, how they work, and how the associated changes can benefit their lives. We explain exactly what lifestyle changes are required to help make this procedure successful, because we are looking for long-term goals,” he said. “We want to make changes that last a lifetime. People need help analyzing their lifestyles and dietary habits so they can make beneficial changes to help them reach their goals.”

Dr. Oviedo said that New Year’s resolutions can be an important tool to living a happier, healthier life, but it doesn’t take a holiday or the changing of a page on the calendar to make better choices to improve your quality of life.

“We all want to live healthier lives,” he said. “To be successful long term, it’s important to remember the ‘why.’ Making a commitment to healthier lifestyle choices isn’t just for us, it can also improve the quality of life of those around us that we love and care about.”

BREAKOUT BOX

• Get moving – Whether it’s going for a simple walk or completing a regular chore like mowing the grass, routinely engaging in light exercise can help reduce the shock of starting a new exercise routine in 2026.
• Find something you enjoy – Before starting your exercise routine, do some research and find an activity you enjoy. Enjoying your fitness routine can be the first step to a successful commitment.
• Don’t over-do it – One of the biggest mistakes when it comes to the New Year’s resolution to fitness can be trying to do too much too fast. Set goals that are obtainable and schedules that are sustainable. Remember, committing to fitness is a lifetime goal – it’s a marathon, not a sprint!
• Nutrition is key – A healthy long-term nutrition plan is important to meeting your fitness goals, but again, don’t over-do it. Cutting yourself off entirely from your favorite foods is not necessarily a recipe for success.