Ways to Keep That New Year’s Resolution – Wellness Wednesday
2017 begins this Sunday and while many if not all of us are ready for 2016 to end, that may have many of you thinking of what you’re going to do different in the new year.
While working out more, watching less TV or eating better are typical resolutions, keeping them isn’t so common so how do we stick to it?
- 1
Work Out Your Willpower Like You Would Your Body
Self-restraint is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets so whether you’re wanting to exercise at the gym or quit smoking, it’ll take time and a lot of work to get used to not wanting to just sit on the couch or smoke that cigarette.
But, it’s important not to push too hard at the beginning because that resolve you’ve been working on can fail and then it’s back to square one again.
- 2
Don’t Try to Change the World All at Once
If we were all honest, there is probably a list of things we’d like to change in the new year, but if we’re going to get any of it done, it’s important not to try and do everything at once.
If your list is to eat better, work out more and stop smoking, the odds of doing all three at the same time successfully are pretty small. It can be done, but it can be easier to tackle one thing at a time. If you get into the habit of eating better, than you can add working out and have more success because the change isn’t as great all at once.
- 3
Set Realistic Goals
This is the time of year that we talk about BIG changes such as losing 50 pounds or going to run a triathlon or something like that.
But, it’s both a boost to your self-esteem and makes it easier to continue towards your ultimate goal by setting realistic goals. You can set a goal like losing 10 pounds by May or I’m going to run a mile without stopping by March. Having reasonable goals in mind at the start makes it easier. Once you meet that goal, you can set another 10 pound goal or another mile and work your ways towards 50 pounds or a triathlon.
- 4
Don’t Think in Absolutes
One of the biggest tips I can give you is not to think or act in absolutes. Saying you’ll NEVER eat fast food again or you’ll ALWAYS work out three times a week is setting a very high bar and that can both stress you out and bring you down if you can’t stay at that level all the time. Giving yourself a cheat day once a week or giving yourself some slack if you can’t make it to the gym after a stressful, long day at work makes it easier on your self-esteem and emotions which is key to keeping your resolution.
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