Lets Create Realistic New Year’s Resolutions!
IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!
Whether or not you’ve been successful in the past, it is part of our yearly tradition to set resolutions each New Years. Goals we strive for to improve our health, our lives, ourselves. As with setting any goal, it is important to aim for realistic resolutions in order to achieve success. Here are a few tips that will hopefully point you in the direction of success by deciding on a resolution this year that is logical, doable and you can see yourself accomplishing in 2015!
CHANGE ONE THING AT A TIME
Coming up with a long list of New Year’s resolutions might seem like a good idea, but taking on too much at once can overwhelm you and weaken your focus and motivation. If you really want to keep your resolution(s), it’s best to start off with one or maybe two goals that you really want to achieve and make changes slowly but surely toward them. It’s challenging enough to change one behavior, so taking on less will likely give you a better chance to succeed.
MAKE A PLAN AND SET MINI GOALS
No matter what your final goal is, it’s important to create a plan of attack in order to achieve it. For example, using a calendar or day planner to set dates and mini goals can help keep you on track and avoid setbacks. If you want to lose weight by eating healthier and exercising, create a weekly meal plan with healthy recipes and block off some time during the week for a few workouts. Each mini-goal is an accomplishment in itself! You’ll be able to track your progress and feel good about how far you’ve come, each steop of the way.
KNOW YOURSELF
If you have a major sweet tooth, giving up dessert might be really difficult. Knowing yourself, including your strengths and weaknesses, can help you figure out a realistic resolution for yourself. Maybe instead of giving up dessert all together, you allow one big splurge a week. Creating an outrageous goal that surpasses your abilities will likely lead to failure, so set a resolution that challenges and pushes you out of your comfort zone, but also makes sense for you.
RECOMMIT TO YOUR GOAL EACH DAY
One of the biggest challenges about resolutions is motivation, and sometimes simply remembering what you set out to do. When you’re faced with a tough situation where your goal is tested, it’s easy to get off track or make excuses. If you constantly remind yourself of the goal (maybe by a sticky note on your computer or bathroom mirror) it will keep it on your mind throughout the day, so you can work toward it and eventually achieve it.
Original article written January 2013 by Tina Haupert at www.news.health.com
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