5 Easy Ways To Stick to Your New Year’s Resolutions
If “get healthy” or “lose weight” are on the top of your resolution list, welcome to the club. This year, instead of saying you are going to exercise more or quit smoking, here are some helpful tips that are going to make achieving your goals foolproof and fail safe.
Write Down Your Goals. You may be sending thousands of texts a month, but nothing is better than putting pen to paper. Writing down you goals helps you to detach from technology and really think about what you are writing. Putting your goals on paper also helps because you can put it in a conspicuous place to remind you everyday.
Be Specific. Last year you wrote, “go to the gym” and maybe that happened a few times in January 2013. What happened by May or June? Being specific helps you to be successful. If you have a fitness goal, be as specific as possible when writing it down. For example, “walk for 20 minutes everyday” is much better than “walk more” or “walk everyday” because you know exactly what you need to do to get closer to your goals.
Be Accountable. It is easy to tell yourself you are going to quit smoking, and then light up during your lunch hour or after dinner because you don’t have to answer to anyone. Many studies show that accountability is one of the most important factors in achieving a goal. Ask a friend to keep an eye on you, or have a family member help you keep track of your schedule. Several online sites also provide motivation and can keep track, some even allow you to put your money at stake.
Get More Sleep. If this isn’t one of your New Year’s Resolutions, it definitely should be. To say that sleep is the best medicine is an understatement. If you have stayed up for several days in a row to watch Breaking Bad, you may need to reconsider. One study showed that those who got fewer than 5 hours of sleep consistently had an increased risk of obesity. Additionally, reduced sleep also increases your chances of skimping on exercise and other healthy habits.
Reward Yourself. If you set a big goal for yourself this year, it can be daunting to see the finish line. Outline a plan for how you are going to achieve your goals and small incentives along the way. If you plan to lose 10 pounds this year, when you lose 2 and keep them off, reward yourself with something fun. This can be a great way to get to your goals and stay happy through the process.