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I hope you're enjoying the holiday season! Since the New Year is almost here, it’s a good idea to look at some strategies for making New Year's resolutions actually work this time around. We know all too well that the majority of resolutions don't last very far into the new year. The question is, how can we change this? Fortunately, there are many ways we can change the way we think about resolutions and how we approach them.
I hope you find this helpful! Best wishes for a happy, healthy New Year, and good luck with your resolutions!
These newsletters will help you make better choices for better health. The choices that you make today can either have a positive or negative impact on your overall health. Begin by choosing better. It is a step toward longevity.
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Why Don't New Year's Resolutions Work?
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 First, it's important to understand why so many New Year's resolutions don't work. Here are some key reasons:
- Your expectations were unrealistic. It's great to challenge yourself, and also good to further your personal development. However, if you take on too much, you will most likely end up being overwhelmed and feeling like a failure because you're not meeting all your goals. The next thing you know, you give up entirely.
- You didn't clearly define your goals. You say you're going to get in shape, but what does that mean? Do you plan to lose weight? How much? Do you plan to run 5 km nonstop? Fit into size (pick a size) jeans? You need to be specific about what getting into shape means to you.
- You are guilty of "all or nothing" thinking. You give up completely when everything doesn't go exactly according to plan. For example, you have French fries with dinner, then decide since you've blown your diet, you might as well have dessert. Then you decide you might as well continue to indulge for the entire weekend, and start over again next week.
- You can't find time to do what you've resolved to do, for example attend exercise class 4 times a week, declutter your closet, or become more involved in your community organization.
- You don't keep track of your progress, so you feel as if you're not getting anywhere with achieving your resolutions, and understandably you get discouraged.
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How to succeed with your New Year's resolutions this time
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 Set short-term goals for long-term results. You may have an ambitious goal, but if you "chunk it down" into smaller, manageable chunks, and tackle them individually, you will be much more likely to succeed with the larger goal.- Clearly define your goals. Set goals that are S.M.A.R.T. - specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. For example, don't say, "I'm going to lose 10 pounds." Instead, say, "By April 30, 2017 at 5pm I will weigh 135 pounds."
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It's better to do something than nothing. If you can't find an hour to spend at the gym, exercise for 30 minutes or even just 20 minutes. The shorter time will still move you toward your goal.
- So you ate the French fries and dessert for dinner. Tomorrow morning, get back on track right away and minimize the damage. You'll start moving toward your goal again, and even better, you won't continue to move away from it. Any effort toward your goal is better than none.
- Schedule your goal. Make your resolution a priority and actually write it into your schedule. Schedule time for getting fit. Schedule time to declutter your closet. You are much more likely to do what you schedule.
- Keep track of your progress. Measure the changes you make and write them down. Don't expect your progress to be totally consistent, but know that if you hit a plateau, for example, with losing weight, that may point to a need to adjust your efforts, not to give up! Be patient.
- Celebrate little victories. Be sure that the rewards you choose don't work against your goal. For example, if you've lost some weight, don't reward yourself with food, instead, perhaps treat yourself to a bubble bath or a good movie.
- Make your resolution about the journey, not the outcome. Instead of deciding to lose 10 pounds, resolutions about getting enough physical activity on a regular basis and eating a healthy diet may be more beneficial. That way you will develop a healthier life style; the number on the scales is less important than that.
- Resolve to do something you love. Not all resolutions have to be to do something you dread. Instead, make at least one resolution to do something you really love and want to do, such as read a fun novel or watch a good movie (or both) every month.
- Start with just one goal. Even if you have many resolutions you would like to accomplish this year, your chances of success will be much higher if you focus on just one goal to start with. You can add another goal each time you're ready.
If weight loss combined with a healthier lifestyle are your goals, I would be very glad to help you. Please contact our office at 613.829.0427 for an appointment.
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References:
- Flaxington BD. 5 reasons why New Year's resolutions fail... and 5 steps to successfully fulfilling them. Psychology Today, psychologytoday.com/blog/understand-other-people/201512/5-reasons-why-new-year-s-resolutions-fail, December 29, 2015.
- Kruse K. A psychologist's secrets to making New Year's resolutions stick. Forbes, forbes.com/sites/kevinkruse/2016/01/03/making-new-years-resolutions-stick/#562f8a621807 Accessed December 5, 2016
- Canfield J. The Success Principles. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 2007.
- Pavini J. 10 tricks to help you actually keep your New Year's resolutions. Huffington Post. huffingtonpost.com/jeanette-pavini/10-tricks-to-help-you-actually-keep-your-new-years-resolutions_b_4550549.html, updated March 8, 2014.
- Gaskill L. 11 easy ways to keep your New Year's resolutions. Forbes. forbes.com/sites/houzz/2015/01/01/11-easy-ways-to-keep-your-new-years-resolutions/#117e37586dc3, January 1, 2015.
Disclaimer: The suggestions and recommendations in this newsletter are not intended to be prescriptive or diagnostic. The information is accurate and up to date to our knowledge, but we are not responsible for any errors in our sources of information.
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"In 4 months I was 37lbs lighter and 3 sizes smaller. I feel great, I am not hungry, I am getting lots of compliments, and I am much happier. I still have some extra pounds to get rid off, but I am not giving up!"
- Inessa
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