Make These 16 New Year's Resolutions If You Want to Live Longer

No excuses! The time to work out won't just fall in your lap. You have to make the time. The American Cancer Society recommends that you get at least 45 to 50 minutes of exercise five times a week to help lower your breast cancer risk. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that all adults under 65 at least do moderately intense cardio for 30 minutes a day, five times a week, or vigorously intense cardio for 20 minutes a day, three days a week, to lower their risk of disease and keep their hearts healthy.

Too much sugar in your diet can lead to heart disease, so take steps to cut back on refined sugars as much as possible. Try not to eat more than 100 calories (or six teaspoons) a day of added sugar. We're not saying you should live without dessert forever (because it adds to our happiness), but eliminate unnecessary sugars for meals and enjoy just a few bites of a treat once a day. If you have an insatiable sweet tooth, here's how to ditch your sugar addiction in three weeks.

You've been trying to for years, so stop trying and make it happen. Let 2017 be the year that you get strong and lean. Dietitians and fitness trainers do this for a living, so reap the benefits of their expertise and take control of your weight so you don't end up gaining even more. Or follow this step-by-step guide to losing weight.

Experts say eating more veggies is the key to losing weight, and maintaining a healthy weight prevents disease. They're also full of fiber to keep your digestion system happy, which can prevent certain types of cancers. So make a point to have veggies at every meal, even breakfast. Add broccoli to your smoothie or snack on some DIY veggie chips.

It's not just the sugar in soda you have to worry about: recent studies have found that diet soda can be just as deadly as regular soda and can lead to a heart attack or stroke. To help lower your risk of heart disease, skip the cola and make water or seltzer your go-to beverage. You can make it more appealing by adding in sliced fruit.

Getting enough sleep can help shrink your waistline because it regulates your hunger hormones so you eat less. It also reduces anxiety and stress, which can contribute to belly fat. Aside from that, a study found that women who slept fewer than five hours a night were less likely to live as long as those who got more, so aim to get at least seven hours. Trouble sleeping? Here are tips for getting the best sleep.

Studies have shown that sitting for hours a day can be deadly, so make sure you're constantly taking breaks to stretch, walk around, and move your body throughout the day. Set timers on your watch or computer to remind you to get up at least once an hour.

It's a healthy-living mantra because it works: you don't have to eliminate every indulgence from your diet, but having limits can help you live a long life. Whether it's wine, chocolate, french fries, or ice cream, enjoy a few tastes of the foods you love to satisfy cravings and then move on.

Having something you're excited about or looking forward to also improves your mental health, so make a point to try that thing you've always been meaning to try. Obviously it should benefit your health in some way, such as a cooking class, signing up for a beginner's CrossFit on-ramp course, taking up rock climbing, or doing that yoga teacher's training. Do it now, even if it scares you a little.

Eating too much not only causes uncomfortable bloating and other digestive issues, but eating extra calories every time you eat is also a surefire way to slowly pack on the pounds. Prevent overeating with these portion-control products, and find out exactly what serving sizes look like. And if you know there are certain foods you can't resist, make mini versions like these bite-size strawberry cheesecakes (PS: they're vegan, too!).

Having a sense of family, whether it's with people you're actually related to or friends that are so close you think of them as siblings, inspires the kind of love and support that is essential to your well-being. They're there to encourage you take care of yourself, and can offer you the emotional support you need to feel happy, confident, and successful. Spend time in 2017 fostering these close-knit ties.

Whether it's that filling you've been putting off, getting a Pap smear, or the fact that you can't remember the last time you had your cholesterol checked, it's time to make those important doctor's appointments so you can have an expert check you over to make sure you're healthy. Preventative care is crucial for living a long life. And while stripping down in a dermatologist's office to check for skin cancer isn't the most fun thing on your list, you know you'll feel better once you get back a clean bill of health.

Eating a plant-based diet is proven to help a person maintain a healthy weight as well as lower a person's risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and certain cancers. On top of keeping you healthy, it's also good for the planet. While going completely vegan may not be in the cards, start off slow and try going vegan one meal a week. Then increase to a few meals a week, or maybe even a week of vegan dinners. Once you start feeling less bloated and more vibrant, you'll automatically be inspired to eat more veggies, legumes, fruits, and whole grains. Here are tips to help you eat a more plant-based diet.

Your mental health definitely affects longevity, so make time to do what makes you happy. Whether it's crafting, playing an instrument, or swing dancing, the joy you feel will extend into your daily life. Set up a time once a week and think of it as an important meeting you have with yourself that you can't miss.

Keeping your muscles limber will not only prevent chronic pain or an injury, but as you get older and your muscles get tighter, you'll be glad you made time to stretch when you were younger. Do this 10-minute stretching session a few times a week.

Too much sodium not only affects your blood pressure but can also damage your organs and tissues and cause that bloated feeling that leaves you feeling sluggish and uncomfortable. Aim for no more than 2,400 mg a day (under 1,500 mg is even better) by avoiding processed foods that are high in sodium — make sure to read the labels because even bread, dressings, and sauces can contain obscene amounts. And don't reach for the salt shaker out of habit. Season your food with fresh herbs or garlic instead. Also go for unsalted nuts and seeds and the butters made from them.