CHANCES are at some time in your life you have made a New Year Resolution – and then broken it. This year, stop the circle of resolving to make a change and then not following through. If your resolution is to take better care of yourself and be healthy, you will have a much better year if your resolution sticks. Here are 10 tips to help you get started.
Be Realistic
The surest way to fall short of your goal is to make your goal unattainable. For instance, resolving to NEVER eat your favourite food again is setting you up to fail. Instead, strive for a goal that is attainable, such as avoiding it more often than you do now.
Plan Ahead
Do not make your resolution on New Year’s Eve! If you wait until the last minute, it will be based on your mindset that particular day. Instead, it should be planned well before December 31st arrives.
Outline Your Plan
Decide how you will deal with the temptation to keep that exercise class or have that piece of cake. This could include calling on a friend for help, practicing positive thinking and self-talk, or reminding yourself how your “bad attitude will affect your goal.
Make A “Pros” and “Cons” List
It may help to see a list of items on paper to keep your motivation strong. Develop this list over time, and ask others to contribute to it. Keep your list with you and refer to it when you need help keeping your resolve.
Talk About It
Do not keep your resolution a secret. Tell friends and family members who will be there to support your resolve to change yourself for the better or improve your health. The best scenario is to find a buddy who shares your New Year’s Resolution and motivate each other.
Reward Yourself
This does not mean that you can eat all you have in your kitchen if your resolution is to eat a better diet. Instead, celebrate your success by treating yourself to something you enjoy that does not contradict solution. If you have been sticking to your promise to eat better, for example, reward yourself with new fitness clothing or by going to a movie with a friend.
Track Your Progress
Keep track of each small success. Short-term goals are easier to keep, and each small accomplishment will help keep you motivated. Instead of focusing on loosing thirty-thousand naira focus on loosing the first five, keep a food journal to help you stay on track, and reward yourself for each five dollars lost.
Don’t Beat Yourself Up
Obsessing over the occasional slip will not help you achieve your goal. Do the best you can each day, and take one day at a time.
Stick To It
Experts say it takes about 21 days for a new activity to become a habit and six months for it to become part of your personality. It won’t happen overnight, so be persistent and patient!
Keep Trying
If you have totally run out of steam when it comes to keeping your resolution by mid-February, do not despair. Start over again! Recommit yourself for 24 hours. You can do anything for 24 hours. The 24-hour increments will soon build on each other and, before you know it, you will be back on track.
