By Connie Colbert
Director, Canyon Health and Wellness Clinic
It is the New Year and most people will be making New Year’s resolutions. Do not set yourself up for failure. Here are a few tips to making your resolutions stick:
- Start small. Make resolutions that you think you can keep. If your aim is to exercise more frequently, schedule two to three days per week initially and then slowly increase as opposed to starting seven days per week. If the resolution is to eat healthier, try replacing dessert with something else you enjoy, such as fruit or yogurt, or replace sugary drinks with water.
- Change one behavior at a time. Unhealthy behaviors develop over the course of time, so changing them takes time, as well. Work toward changing one thing at a time, so you do not get overwhelmed and quit everything.
- Plan a time-frame.
- Take notes to see your progress. If you made a note of your time-frame, you will have a physical reminder of what you’re aiming for. Now go further and write down the details of your resolutions in a notebook, remembering to add your motivations. You could keep a scrapbook for this purpose. You could fill it with photos of your slimmer self or pictures of sporting or hobby equipment you are saving for or even fill it with a shocking credit card statement to spur you into action! If your resolution will directly benefit your partner, children, colleagues or friends, then add their photos too – anything to remind you of your initial motivation.
- Share your experiences with others. Encourage others to join in with your journey. Consider joining a group class. Being with others often causes us to remain accountable and keep going.
- Understand that perfection is unattainable. Everyone has ups and downs. They miss their targets from time to time. Recover from your mistakes and get back on track the next day!
Set those resolutions and follow the simple steps to obtain success!
Happy New Year!
