The New Year is always an exciting time. It presents us with the possibility of making changes in our life, some small and some big, that can really make a positive impact. For many, New Year’s resolutions involve making changes for the better in regards to their health, such as losing weight, eating healthier, exercising more, and regularly seeing their doctor and dentist.
Most of us start off January with great enthusiasm and determination to follow through on the resolutions we’ve made. But, in only a month or two, we find those resolutions tossed with the others on our disappointing and growing heap of unmet goals.
Why not make this year different? Here are some practical tips that will help you to keep your resolutions on track to success.
Set do-able goals
One of the major keys to success in keeping health goals on track is to make sure they are realistic. Trying to lose 40 lbs. in one month, exercising two hours every day, or suddenly eating only healthy foods will only set you up for failure. Here are some things to keep in mind when setting your goals:
- Pick reasonable goals with a reasonable time frame – don’t try to change too much at once.
- Take small steps toward your goal, daily if possible.
- Reward yourself for your success – no, not with your fav dessert! Buy those new jeans you can fit into now, have a massage or a spa day.
- Don’t be discouraged by setbacks; recommit and continue toward your goal. Remember, you don’t lose a race by falling down, but by staying down.
Learn from others’ success
Researchers have found that those who have been successful at reaching their goals have these key things in common:
- Strong commitment – change is hard, so you’ve got to really want it.
- Coping strategies for when challenges arise – like all those after-holiday candy sales!
- Keeping track of progress.
That last one is very important. Studies show that the more monitoring a person does and the more feedback they get on their progress, the better they will do. So, write down your long-term goals and keep track each week/month of what you can do to reach them. To help you, we’ve created a printable download you can use to keep track of your progress each week.
You can do it!
Change is a process that starts in the mind. Once you’ve decided to make a healthy change, reinforce your determination to achieve it by writing down how it will impact your life for the better. Have weekly and monthly goals to work towards so you can see your progress. And don’t give up!
Remember to just take it one step at a time and you’ll be able to reach your goal.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.