Sticking to Your New Year’s Resolutions

Making New Year’s resolutions is the easy part…. it’s keeping them that can be the challenge! One survey found that 88% of people didn’t keep their resolutions past January.  Here are a few tips on how you can stay on-track and stick to your goals for the new year.

– Limit the number of resolutions you make and be realistic. Too many resolutions can lead to discouragement.

– Make obtainable short-term goals that will help you reach your big goal. For example, instead of “I will
lose 50 pounds this year,” try, “I will lose four pounds this month.”

– Write down your resolutions—this can both serve as a reminder and help strengthen your commitment. Studies have shown that people who write their goals down are more likely to stick with them.

– Share a resolution with a friend, such as quitting smoking together or keeping a standing date at the gym. You can give each other a friendly push and hold one another accountable on difficult days.

– Tell your family, friends, and co-workers about your resolutions, so that you can be surrounded by encouragement and support every day.
 
– Reward yourself for small successes as you progress towards your resolution; it will help you stay encouraged and focused.

– Give it time. Experts say it takes three weeks to create a habit and six months for a new behavior to become a part of your everyday routine.

– Hang in there and be persistent if you stray from your resolutions…but also be flexible. Life is always full of change. Expect setbacks and give yourself permission to make adjustments to your original goals.