With the new year approaching, most feel it’s a time for change and new commitments. “I’ll start the beginning of the new year,” is such a common phrase. However, what gets started isn’t always finished. As I said, the new year is a popular time for most to make changes. Those changes may include resolutions such as losing weight, improving quality of life, spending more time with family and friends, better budgeting with finances, changing shopping habits, etc. They all sound good, but how can one stick with a new year’s resolution? Below are some tips to help you stick with yours.
Prioritize and limit your resolutions. You may want to do all of the above mentioned, but choose one or two, and make them a goal. Do not try to do all of them. You may end up feeling like you failed, if you can’t accomplish them all. Your chances for success will be much greater if you don’t over commit.
Have a plan. It’s best to plan for your goal. Research, think through, and document how you want to accomplish your resolution. Write down how long it might take to reach your goal. For example, if your resolution is to quit smoking, research how long it takes an average person to quit, and the possible setbacks you may encounter. If your resolution is to lose weight, plan a routine workout or walk that you can and will stick to. Write down a date and an attainable weight you would like to be by that date. Set specific goals. When it comes to exercise, don’t just say that you’re going to exercise more. Instead, have a plan to exercise, maybe 30 minutes each day. Wake up knowing you are going to do it every morning or every lunch break. Being detailed and having a routine holds you accountable. You will also feel accomplished when you complete your workout every day because you can check it off your list.
Don’t set an unrealistic goal. Start small. Avoid setting high expectations. If you want to lose weight, maybe start with a pound a week. Eight pounds in two months. Once you achieve this goal, you can think about losing more weight. Small goals can help you achieve big results because they are attainable. Having higher expectations can lead to disappointment. Set realistic, attainable goals.
Choose a new resolution. Don’t choose a resolution you have tried in the past, but failed. Instead, pick something different, where you can set up a better path to success. If you do want to choose one you have tried in the past, remember, have a plan. Do the research. Make it real and make it work! You can do this!
Surround yourself with people that will support you. If you workout with a friend, it will help motivate you and keep you on track. Ask a family member, friend or co-worker to help with healthier eating habits. Ask for fresh, healthy recipes. We all function better with the community around us, motivating and reminding us why we chose that New Year’s resolution in the first place. Sometimes, it takes a village. That’s okay. Find your village and keep them close on this journey.
A 2009 study found that on average, it takes 66 days to form a new habit. Be patient with yourself. If you fall off track, that’s okay. Just don’t stay off track. Wake up the next day and get right back into your routine. If you stick to it for a few months, it will become second nature, and you won’t be thinking of it as a chore, or something you have to do. It will be everyday life. It will be a new way of life. A better way of life and probably a healthier way of life. I don’t mean healthy from just an exercise view. I say healthy meaning, if your resolution was to spend more time with family and friends, or budget better, or change shopping habits, you will probably be less stressed and much more relaxed. This is just as healthy as exercising your body.
Only you can make change happen. Don’t count on anyone to do it for you. Again, having support is important, but don’t wait for anyone to start making changes. You are in control. Lastly, don’t keep making excuses. Excuses are a way to justify why you aren’t doing something. You may not succeed at first, but failing means you tried. Just get up and keep going. I promise you, you won’t keep failing.
Quotes:
“He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.”
“Excuses will always be there for you. Opportunity won’t.”
“Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses.”
