How to Stick to Your New Year’s Resolutions

New Year’s resolutions…did you set any for yourself this year?

If you did and you’re afraid you won’t stick to them (or if you’ve already fallen off the wagon), we’ve got some sure-fire ways to remind you why you wanted to improve in the first place.

We’ll also give you some tips and tools to help reach those goals.

For some, the knowledge that most people fail to meet their New Year’s resolutions, it’s somewhat expected that they themselves will as wall.  After all, if they weren’t able to keep up with their goals…eh, it’s not that big of a deal if I don’t, too.

It’s important to remember: you thought about and set your resolutions for a reason. There was something in your life that you wanted to change for the better.

 

What’s Your Goal and How Do You Stick with It?

As long as you’re alive, nothing is set in stone. The great thing about being human is that we can change and improve.

At the writing of this, New Year’s Day has just passed. You may have made a resolution–or, maybe you didn’t.  You might still be going strong—or, you might’ve already slipped up and stopped altogether.

No matter where you are in your New Year’s resolution journey, we’re giving you a do-over.  Midnight was not the magical time where you had to start. So let’s start again right this very second.

What area of your life are you wanting to improve this year?

The first step to success in any resolution is in planning. Decide what your goal is and what’s at stake. If there’s nothing to gain (or lose), it’s more challenging to stick to your plan. After all, a business plan works because it’s a blueprint to grow your business.

The same can be said for personal life goals. You need to know precisely what is at stake before you begin.

The top New Year’s resolutions have to do with improving health, eliminating a bad habit, or achieving a big goal.  Let’s look at each one.

 

Sticking with Your Dietary Resolutions

Starting a diet in the new year is one of the most common resolutions.

It’s easy to fall short on this journey because you’ve spent a whole lifetime developing your eating habits.  Not only that, when starting a diet, most choose fad diets that aren’t sustainable (or even healthy) over the long-term.

If eating better is a goal you’d like to tackle this year, here are some tips to keep in mind and return to when you feel like you want to throw in the towel.

• Big Changes Start Small. Fad diets don’t work because you’re depriving yourself of too much. Instead of making a major dietary overhaul, consider starting smaller. You might eliminate one wrong type of food from your diet, such as sweets or junk food. You could limit your intake of bread. You might also decide to add certain foods, like substituting fish for red meat or adding more vegetables.
• Journal. We often eat without thinking. By taking the time to journal what you eat, you’ll pay more attention and will make better choices.
• Switch Junk Foods with Superfoods.  Superfoods offer your body a tremendous antioxidant boost that helps maintain high energy and support your immune system. When they become a regular part of your diet, you’ll feel much better.  Try choosing veggies with dip instead of a bag of potato chips or a piece of fruit or a bowl of berries to go with your morning coffee instead of a bagel. These changes are minimal, but they make a significant impact over time.

Feeling Fitter and Stronger in the New Year

If you’ve ever gone to the gym on January 1st, you know how common the “I’ll exercise more” resolution really is.  Exercise is one of the best ways to regulate things like blood sugar, weight, and even mood.

So why don’t we stick to this resolution if it makes us feel so good?

Lack of accountability and motivation are the biggest of culprits.  Exercise is work, so it takes some self-discipline and extra effort to take the first step.

Once you get to the gym or start your workout, however, you’re more likely to finish. The more often you go, the more likely you are to keep going.  

That being said, it’s important to not beat yourself up when you miss a scheduled workout–especially if you’re really sore or have very low energy.

If you make a huge effort not to miss the second workout…you’re much more likely to keep up with this resolution.

If you’re having trouble with accountability, getting started, or keeping motivated, a personal trainer can be an excellent option to keep you on track.

 

Pursue that Passion without the Guilt

Are you writing a book? Do you love baking?  Do you want to sing on stage?

Heck, maybe you’ve always dreamed of owning your own business.

Give yourself permission to pursue your passion, whatever it may be.  This resolution isn’t like the other ones. You usually don’t put it to the side out of fear. You put it to the side out of guilt. Your time should be spent on your career or more important things.

The truth is that your passion is important. Whether it’s a work of art, running a marathon, or climbing a mountain…the things we aspire to do are the things that make life more enjoyable. Having goals like these gives us joy and purpose.

Give yourself permission to follow your passion and then find someone, a mentor or friend, to share it with and keep you accountable.

Your new year’s resolution doesn’t need to fall by the wayside. It’s up to you to make the changes that will bring you more happiness and better health.