Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Stick
The New Year has officially begun, and with that comes new resolutions!
How many of us make our resolutions, keep up with them for a few weeks or even months, and then eventually find ourselves making the same ones the next year? It’s a tale as old as time, but it doesn’t have to be the case this year.
Start the decade off on a healthy note, and strive to make your goals stick throughout the year with these helpful tips for staying on track:
1. Set realistic goals with detailed ways to achieve them
Sometimes, we confuse resolutions for dreams because we don’t consider the “how” when making them. For example, traveling to Europe sounds like a great goal, but if you haven’t put much thought into the logistics—like your budget, time off, etc., it may not be realistic. The same thing goes for health-based resolutions. It’s easy to throw around big goals, but it’s essential to follow up with the steps you’ll take to reach them.
For example…
If you resolve to run a marathon, start with the goal of training each week. Map out your routes and invest in a pair of good running shoes to keep yourself encouraged. If your goal is to lose weight, start by reorganizing your pantry, cleaning up your grocery list, and cooking healthy meals each week. If you want to get stronger, start by joining a gym or signing up for fitness classes. Staying realistic about your resolutions gives you a better chance of achieving them and feeling good about yourself for doing so.
2. Start small and build-up
A great method to attain your resolution is to set multiple small goals throughout the year. Doing this will help you stay on track better than setting one, life-changing goal on January 1st.
For example…
Instead of vowing to wake up at 5 am every day to work out and lose 25 pounds, start with eating at least one serving of veggies every day and trying to lose five pounds by Mach, another five by May, and so on. Small goals throughout the year give you milestones to check off, so it’s not as easy to throw in the towel for good if you fall off-track one month.
3. Don’t do it alone
Although you can achieve anything on your own, having an accountability partner to lean on for encouragement can make all the difference in sticking to a resolution. Embark on the health journey with a friend, coworker, family member, or significant other, so you can be reminded why you started on the days you feel like quitting. If the people in your life aren’t ready for a lifestyle change or don’t encourage you in the way you need, there are still plenty of options.
For example…
Hiring a trainer or coach, joining an online accountability group, or finding a community within group fitness classes are all great ways to stay accountable.
Haven’t made your New Year’s Resolutions yet? It’s never too late! Take the time today to list out your goals for 2020, and the steps you’ll take to achieve them.
Cabot Emergency Hospital wishes you a happy and healthy New Year!
Disclaimer: As a service to our readers, Cabot Emergency Hospital and Nutex Health state no content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinicians.
Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. Cabot Emergency Hospital is always ready to provide the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.