NATCHEZ — With the holidays behind us and the New Year has officially begun, the weekend entertainment calendar is a little thin.

That makes this weekend a good time to kick-off your New Year’s resolutions on the right track.

Here are a few ways the people of the Miss-Lou can start taking steps to a healthier and happier 2020.

Develop healthy habits

Since the holidays are over, it could be time to toss the temptation of leftover sweets that are perhaps still waiting at home in the fridge. Almost every restaurant in Natchez has a healthy eating option that doesn’t require cutting flavor.

The Natchez Brewing Company’s Pizza Lab on Canal Street has a cauliflower crust option that is lower in carbs compared to the traditional crust.

The Camp on Silver Street has several meat add-in options for their salads — such as steak, fish, chicken and shrimp — that could make the eater feel less like they are missing out on a full meal.

Sue Smith, Dietician with Merit Health Natchez said minimizing salty and fried foods not only keeps you healthy but also reduces the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

“Broiled or baked foods are always best with plenty of fruits and vegetables,” Smith said. “… Using dairy products is also a good idea for the whole family. … It’s good for high blood pressure, good for bones and good for everything.”

Paying attention to portion sizes is an important practice with each meal, Smith said. Another healthy practice is to consume a balanced meal three times each day with a small portion of protein, a large portion of vegetables and a portion of potatoes or rice, she said.

“The palm of your hand is a good representation of how much protein you should eat,” Smith said. “If you take your hand and make a scoop, that would represent the amount of vegetables you should eat, which is about half a cup.”

Stay active

Smith said it’s not only eating that keeps you healthy but activities as well.

“The activity portion I can’t stress enough because everyone can stand to be more active,” she said.

When it comes to finding the right tools to get in shape, both Natchez and Vidalia have gym options to choose from.

Or, there is also no fee for taking a daily walk or jog along trails on the Natchez bluff or the Vidalia riverfront.

Family time

While exercise and healthy eating are always good ideas, spending quality time with family and loved ones is just as important for emotional health and wellbeing as well as physical wellbeing.

“Any changes that you make are going to affect the whole family, whether it is eating changes or exercise,” Smith said. “It’s not an easy road by yourself.”

The holidays are a good excuse to spend time with family, but once the fireworks are over there are many other ways for locals to get together without a calendar day designated for it.

Smith said it’s a good practice for families to sit down together for at least one meal each day. Taking walks, kayaking, hiking or playing sports outdoors are also good ways to get the family together and to exercise too, Smith said.

Those without children could routinely walk or exercise with other couples or friends to stay motivated, Smith said.