Resolutions

Resolutions

Did you make a New Years resolution to get healthier? If so you along with millions of Americans are now trying to eat better by choosing fruits and vegetables instead of junk food, drinking more water, maybe taking vitamins for the first time since the Flintstone days. Heck, maybe you even switched to an all organic, gluten free, vegan based diet and are now exercising 30 minutes a day 6 days a week....just kidding. Seriously though, trying to get healthy is a noble goal and definitely one to get serious about. The trouble is almost as many people who make this resolution on January 1 are no longer keeping said resolution six months later. In fact the percentage of people in their twenties who achieve yearly resolutions is about 39 percent, and for people 50 or older that number drops to 14 percent. The overall achievement rate for all ages is a dismal 8 percent. On the bright side that still beats the approval rating for the U.S. Congress.

So what’s the secret to achieving your goals? Well different people need different motivation so it differs from person to person. But some of the most important is actually common sense. Following is a list of ideas, in no particular order, that may help you finally reach your goal of __________( fill in the blank).

- Be specific. Instead of saying that you want to get healthier make a list of specific things you can do to make that happen. For instance: drink more water, give up soda during the week, eat a veggie at every meal, stretch five minutes daily.

-If you fail to plan you plan to fail. So sit down and make one. Have the right foods in your house at all times. Set out your work out clothes the night before. Make a weekly schedule of what you are doing and keep track of it.

-Discuss your goals with family and friends. This helps keep you honest.

-Set small goal intervals. Instead of focusing on losing thirty pounds by years end, have weekly or monthly goals. For instance which sounds easier, losing thirty pounds by summer or losing one pound a week. Aim small miss small.

-Focus on the progress not the end result. Don’t beat yourself up for setbacks because I guarantee you will have some. Because how bad is it really if you only lose 25 pounds instead of 30.

Good luck and have a great 2014.