The start of a new year is a perfect time to make some new goals and changes that will improve your life. The passing of one year into another seems like the right time to start with a clean slate and set about making your life better. Year after year the most popular New Year’s resolution is losing weight. Ask anyone around the water cooler at work and chances are the majority say they would like to lose a few pounds during the upcoming year.
The fact that this is the most popular New Year’s resolution year after year speaks volumes to its dismal success rate. So, why is it so hard to stick to New Year’s resolutions? And how can you be one of those people who beat the odds and meet your goal? Let’s take a look at some easy steps you can implement now to help you keep your New Year’s resolution.
Choose a specific and realistic goal
Many people never stick to New Year’s resolutions because they are simply too vague. Each year, millions of adults purpose to “lose weight” or “get into shape” during the upcoming year. Those types of resolutions are too general in nature to stick with. How can you know you’ve met your resolution when it is so ambiguous? Resolutions are nothing more than goals. Experts say that you greatly increase your odds of sticking to a weight loss goal when it meets the following criteria:
Specific goal – For example, if we take our resolution of “losing weight” and change it to “I would like to lose 5 pounds per month for the next 12 months”, we’ve just gone from a resolution with virtually no chance of being met, to one that is very specific, and therefore doable. When a resolution is concrete, you know when you are on course or off course because the target is clear.
Let’s say that in January you lose six pounds. You know you are right on track with your goal and have even achieved above and beyond. This will help you to know that what you’ve been doing is working, and that you should keep it up. On the other hand, if you only lose one pound in January, you know that you need to make adjustments to your diet or exercise routines.
Realistic goal – Many people make the mistake of setting themselves up for failure by making resolutions that are far too lofty to achieve. A realistic resolution is one that will stretch you out of your comfort zone while at the same time being achievable. Only you know what you’re capable of. Pick a goal that requires effort, but will also keep you motivated because you know it’s something you can accomplish.
Avoid past mistakes
Old habits die hard. Many people fail to stick to New Year’s resolutions because they do the same things they did before when they failed yet expect a successful result. That’s a recipe for disaster that only leads to frustration and disappointment. To help avoid making the same mistakes you did last year, sit down and analyze your habits. Write down what you plan to do different this year by creating actionable items that you didn’t do before. If you want results you’ve never gotten before, you have to do what you’ve never done before.
Don’t let setbacks set you back
You might as well come to terms that you’re going to screw up more than once in your quest to lose weight. That’s important to know because the weight loss game is more of a marathon than a sprint. Who cares if you screw up a few times? Don’t beat yourself up. The path to your New Year’s resolution is often not a straight one. There are going to be challenges and a few relapses. Just get back up, dust yourself off and keep going.
