“Eat healthy. Lose weight. Get more sleep.” Sound familiar? If your New Year’s resolution list sounds similar to this you’re not alone. According to health.com, one out of every three Americans establishes a New Year’s resolution. But after the holiday buzz is over and we’re forced to return to our lives, those resolutions can be hard to keep. Whether you’re hoping to lose weight or simply better yourself here are five ways to help you stick to your New Year’s resolutions.
1) Write down your goals.
This may seem redundant, but writing down your goals is a great place to start. According to Forbes.com, writing down your goals is the key to success. Type, text or even print them, but be sure to write them out and place them somewhere you can see them daily. Placing them inside a notebook or personal planner is a great place. The most important thing is that you’re seeing them often. This constant reminder is good motivation to stay on track.
2) Make your goals measurable.
Find ways to measure your progress. Seeing your progress not only tells you how far you have left to go, but it’s great motivation to stay on track! If you’re trying to lose weight, pick a morning each week to weigh yourself (but no more than once a week, weighing yourself too often can have the reverse effect). If your goal is to eat healthier, try keeping a food journal to keep track of what you’re eating. There are even applications you can download to your phone, like MyFitnessPal, that will help you keep track of your progress.
3) One step at a time.
Be patient! Big or small changes often take time and changing a habit isn’t always easy. Avoid any quick fixes or drastic measures, especially when it comes to your health. Focus on the big picture. For example, you’re better off losing weight slowly and doing it right than any drastic weight loss diets. These diets can be dangerous to your health and unrealistic to maintain. If you’re not learning healthy diet and exercise habits in the process, you’re doing yourself a disservice in the long run.
4) Don’t get discouraged.
If you fall off the bandwagon don’t worry! The important thing is to keep going. Everyone has cheat meals (or cheat days). Just make sure you don’t let those moments steer you off track. If the number on the scale isn’t what you expected, don’t let it get to you! This happens to everyone. It may not make sense, but stick to your original plan. The scale can be unpredictable and discouraging at times, but that doesn’t mean you’re not making progress.
5) Celebrate!
Reward yourself along the way for your hard work. You deserve it! Indulge in a celebratory meal with friends or buy some new clothes (who doesn’t need an excuse to go shopping?). When you reach milestones be sure to acknowledge it. Celebrating your progress will give you the stamina to keep going and help you along the way. Plus, it always helps having a treat to look forward to.
__________
Follow Shayla Girardin on Twitter: @shaylagthatsme
