How to really keep the resolutions you make this year

I honestly feel like the years have wings and literally fly by. The year 2018 was no exception. I mean, wasn’t it just January a while ago? Yet, here we are in January again. We get wrapped up in our work, family life, schedules, and activities, and before we know it, we’re making holiday plans again with our loved ones.

The same goes for New Year’s resolutions. We proudly proclaim them at the beginning of each year with the best of intentions. We really mean to accomplish them, but nearly all of them fall flat before Spring even hits. Heck, I’ve learned to not go to the gym in January because of all the resolutionistas (yep, it’s now a word) working out their new gym membership with fear and trembling. By February? The gym is all mine. No resolutionistas in sight.

There are many reasons why we fail at effectively implementing our resolutions. Perhaps the most important reason is that we often haven’t given enough serious thought to what we’re planning on committing to. To stick with your resolutions, you’ve got to be realistic about your goals, and to be totally honest, most of us don’t squarely look our resolutions in the face and determine whether they’re really doable.

Here are some tips for creating resolutions you’ll actually keep. This way, when New Year’s Day 2020 rolls around, you can make new resolutions instead rehashing the same ones year after year.

Whatever you’ve decided, be it weight loss or quitting smoking–or both — you’re more likely to make a positive change in your behavior if you have a reward awaiting you. For example, simply stating that you want to lose weight is a resolution without direction. How will you reward yourself for losing a specific amount of weight; say, 20 pounds? A cruise? A special handbag? Decide on a reward, and create checkpoints along the way to the intended goal of the resolution. And, please, make sure that your rewards are not related to food!

Getting together with friends to better yourselves is an excellent way to build up your new good habits. Co-opt your BFFs as you work on your plan to implement your health and wellness resolutions. Whether it’s taking a class together at the gym or learning a new craft like painting or pottery, teaming up with your friends will make it much more likely that you won’t flake out or give up on your stated goals.

Speaking of stated goals, writing down your resolutions provides concrete proof (receipts, if you will) of your decision to pursue a specific course of action. Seeing those resolutions in black and white is a stark reminder that you have made a commitment to make them a reality. In fact, I’d encourage you to start keeping a journal in which you write daily about your progress in sticking to (and achieving and maintaining) your resolutions.

If you’re serious about achieving your resolutions, break them down into tangible, practical steps that will get you to your ultimate goal. So, if your goal is to lose 50 pounds, write down what you’re going to do daily to release that weight. One incremental step might be to commit to 15 minutes of exercise per day. After that goal is achieved, you can then increase the exercise time to perhaps 30 minutes. Another practical step could be to commit to swapping out two unhealthy food items every week for healthier products.

If you really want to succeed, tell your friends and family about your resolutions early in the New Year. Who knows? Some of them might be thinking of pursuing the very same goals! Letting others know what you plan to do creates accountability and support for your decisions. It’ll also will encourage you to stay the course when you feel like throwing in the towel.

Don’t let another year of unresolved resolutions fly by! Make 2019 your year in which you turn your resolutions into reality. Those resolutions–and that reality–are entirely within your reach. Go for it!

What are you excited about achieving in the new year with regard to your health and wellness? Let me know in the comments!

P.S.: In a little over a week, my 5-Day Detox for Beginners gets started.
We’re done with the holiday eats and treats, and now it’s time to get our body, mind, and spirit back in proper working order. Come January 14–18, 2019, that’s exactly what we’ll be doing. My promise: you’ll feel better AND look better. Welcome to the new and improved you!

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