Three Tips for Making New Year’s Resolutions Stick

Who hasn’t sat down on New Year’s Day and come up with a half-dozen changes they would like to make in their life? Common ones include losing weight and exercising more.

All of our good intentions, though, can pass as quickly as the weeks on the calendar. Before we know it, we’re facing yet another New Year with the same old list.

If you want to overcome the obstacles to making healthy changes, consider these three FIT tips that can spell the difference between success and failure.

F:  Find a way to make achieving your fitness goals fun. Create a positive, emotionally appealing image of your “new” self. Then begin to impersonate that fun-loving fitness advocate today. If you do this, you’ll shift your attitude from “I have to” to “I want to.” Flipping this switch will make you more willing to adopt and maintain your new habits.

I: Invent the future you want. Implement the changes you want to make today. Don’t wait for the perfect time because there isn’t one. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is out of reach. All you have is today. And consider making all your changes at once. Contrary to the popular belief, recent research confirms that people who bravely tackle all their changes together tend to fare better than those who take a more gradual, piecemeal approach.

T: Tell everyone you can about the changes you are making. When you ask friends and family for their encouragement, ask also how you can help them realize their fitness goals. As social creatures, we are profoundly influenced by the behavior of everyone around us. Use this insight to create a support team and simultaneously to be a positive role model for others.

It’s your life. Have it your way. Design a future that enhances your health and well-being and contributes to the vitality of those around you. Grab the opportunity of this unique moment in time. That way, when 2013 rolls around, instead of having regrets, you’ll experience joy and satisfaction as you reflect on your accomplishments.

Comments

[Carole]

Thanks for the comment. All the best with your New Year's resolutions. I have faith that you will be able to stick with them this year and I hope these tips will be helpful to you.

[Genetech]

i was thinking to make one resolution for me but like the last year i thought that i will not stick to that. thanks for tips will try to stick to my this year resolution

Genetech