How to Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Stick
Posted on February 28, 2012
It’s time to review your New Year’s Resolution. Why is it so hard to keep the New Year’s resolutions we make? Some of the most common New Year’s resolutions are vowing to lose weight, get more physically active, eat more nutritiously, quit smoking, reduce consumption of alcohol, reduce stress, and sleep better. A common problem with most New Year’s resolutions is that they are often unrealistic goals.
For example, a resolution stating, “I’m going to lose 40 pounds” seems overwhelming. A resolution to change behavior should be very specific. Instead of saying “I’m going to lose 40 pounds,” say “I’m going to try to lose up to a pound a week until I reach 40 pounds.” The goal is to take baby steps forward rather than giant steps. You will be more likely to stick to your New Year’s resolutions with this approach.
Think about why you want to make the change. Is it important to you, or is someone else telling you this is something you need to do? Research suggests that if it’s something you really want for yourself, if it’s meaningful to you, you’re more likely to stick to it. Think of how the New Year’s resolution will enhance your life. Even small improvements in your physical activity, weight, or nutrition may help reduce your risk for disease and lengthen your life.
If you are quitting smoking, throw away your lighters and ashtrays. To improve your nutrition, put unhealthy, tempting foods in hard-to-reach places, or get rid of them. Recruit friends and family to help you eat better, walk with you, remind you to stay on track. People who can maintain efforts to change their behavior for six to eight weeks are more likely to be able to continue that effort in the long term. Make sure you have a backup plan to get back on track if you start to slip. If you feel that your motivation is waning, remind yourself why the change was important to you in the first place. Recalling these personal reasons can encourage you to get back on track.
Make this year a Healthy One!
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