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Accomplishing Your New Year’s Health
Resolutions
Have you had
troubles accomplishing your New Year’s resolutions? Studies show that by
midyear, less than half had kept their January promises. With the right
attitude and approach, you can improve your own odds. Here are the most
successful approaches for accomplishing your New Years Resolutions.
1. Create S.M.A.R.T. Goals. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely. Big-scale
goals can frustrate you and may make you give up. Break them down into several
smaller, easier ones. And list the steps for each. To lose 1 pound a week, you
could try replacing dessert with fruit, for example.
2. Share your goals with others. It’s best not to keep your goals to yourself. To improve
your physical fitness, finding a workout buddy or hiring a personal trainer
will hold you accountable with others. Tell a friend or family member about
your plan. Having support can help keep you on track.
3. Chart your progress. Keep track of how you are doing. People who do are more likely to
succeed.
4. Tackle one goal at a time. It’s tough to change too many things at once. It takes time
to form bad habits, but it also takes time to replace them with good ones.
Conquer one habit, then move on to the next
5. Do not let one slip up derail you. Everyone has lapses when trying to build a healthy
habit. It doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Forgive yourself for dropping the ball.
Use it as a chance to learn what triggered you. If being around friends who are
smoking when you’re trying to quit, you are more likely to lapse. Do your best
to avoid those situations. Learn from your mistakes, and move on.
6. Reward yourself. Rewards, however small, can motivate you. They remind you of your progress
and make things more fun. For short-term goals, rewards should be simple, like
going to a movie, getting a manicure, or buying a pair of shoes. Give yourself
larger rewards for reaching bigger goals, like taking a vacation.
Zachary M. Schneider
Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Corrective Exercise
Specialist (CES)
