Neal Pire, MA, CHC, EP-C, FACSM, National Director of Wellness Services
Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Many of us do. We start every year with our best intentions, but often find that in as little as just a few short weeks our motivation fades and we are struggling to stay on-track. According to a recently published study in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, nearly half of Americans make New Year’s resolutions each year. Of those, only eight percent are likely to succeed. Here are just a few tips to help ensure you stick to your plan, and make all your healthy resolutions come true in 2018.
SENS Solution #1: Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals “I resolve to get fit.”
Your initial goal, “to get fit,” is too general; what does “fit” mean? Take this initial resolution and add each of the following goal-building variables to fine-tune your goal and maximize your chances of achieving it.
SENS Solution #2: Put Pen to Paper
Whatever your goals are, write them down. The moment they get out of your head and onto paper, they become tangible, and not just wishful thinking. The more detailed they are, the better.
SENS Solution #3: Start Small
Once your goals are clearly defined, develop a plan of action. But big change doesn’t happen all at once, and can cause you to burn out quickly. Start by setting smaller goals, mastering them, and then taking it one step further. Remember that a little bit is better than nothing. You really can achieve your goals – one small step at a time.
SENS Solution #4: Build a Support System
Trying to make healthier choices is harder when you’re surrounded by people with unhealthy habits. Confide in people who support you, and identify those in your life with similar goals in mind. Having someone to hold you accountable can have an impact on your desire to succeed. Your support system can consist of friends, family or a SENS Solution® Health Coach. We are products of our environment, and how we respond to it.
SENS Solution #5: Never Give Up
It’s important to recognize that no matter what your resolution is, you’re likely to slip up along the way. When you do stumble, realize that it’s not the end of the world, climb back onto the wagon, and get back on track towards your goals. Quitting is not an option. Wellness is a journey: when you deviate off your path, stop and get back on course.
Reference:
It’s January 7: Are You Sticking to Your New Year’s Resolution? (2013, January 7). Retrieved from