The New Year has begun and resolutions are in full swing. It’s safe to say that “getting healthier” is a common resolution, but this notion isn’t a fixed concept. Some people have the desire to improve sleep, eat more fruits and vegetables, exercise more often, or practice self-care, all of which fall under the “get healthy” umbrella. The problem with “getting healthy” is that health advice changes rapidly.
Nutrition In 2010
In addition to the “eat more fruits and veggies” motto that has been in existence, dietary guidelines for Americans in December of 2010 encouraged people to increase low-fat dairy consumption and limit cholesterol intake to 300mg per day. Federal guidelines don’t account for the way that everyone eats, nor are they etched in stone as dietary law. We can also say that 2010 was a big year for fad diets, with the Baby Food Diet and juicing rising to extreme popularity. Lots of people also downed apple cider vinegar with everything to suppress appetite and improve digestion.
Nutrition In 2020
Five dietary changes, which were relatively insignificant, were made in 2015 and were intended to last until 2020. A specific cap on sugar (less than 10% of daily calories) was put in place to combat rising rates of obesity and diabetes. The cap of 300mg of cholesterol per day was lifted and the focus was directed at avoiding saturated and trans fats. Some people even began focusing on meat-heavy meal plans or fat-rich diets (e.g. the ketogenic diet) that cut out carbohydrates and sugars. The most drastic change since 2010 is the way Americans think about dieting, due to the fact that different blogs, social influencers, and holistic coaches give advice about strength, food, body positivity, and self-care in different ways. We can say that the self-care revolution is in full swing, working to reduce rates of anxiety, insomnia, depression, and other mental and emotional health disorders. This is further endorsed by a report that said 34% of Americans want to reduce stress in 2020, 28% want to focus on spiritual growth, and 30% want to improve sleep.
Fitness In 2010
Exercise goals were intense in 2010. Remember the days of paleo fitness? That decade shift was all about barefoot running, intense bootcamp classes, and Crossfit was on the rise. According to 2008 federal guidelines for physical fitness, people were encouraged to engage in 150 minutes or more of moderate to intense exercise per week. 2010 also marked the beginning of the rise of yoga and all that it would come to be.
Fitness In 2020
There is no “right way” to exercise in 2020, given that there are so many forms of fitness. Within the past five years, boutique studios have popped up all over the place, offering rowing classes, boxing classes, strong Zumba classes, twerking classes, and HIIT training. Newer studies have also found that shorter bouts of more intense activity are more effective than longer workouts that include moderate physical activity. You might be interested to learn that fitness trends for 2020 are in line with 2020 nutritional trends, with napping or meditation studios focusing on self-care.
Health and fitness are ever-changing topics, and new studies or trends will influence how people view them. We recommend finding your lane and doing what feels comfortable. And always remember, no harm comes from eating fresh fruits and vegetables or engaging in exercise several times a week. Find what works for you and move forward with that resolution.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
