We always have the best of intentions when we make our New Year's Resolutions, but why is it we have such a hard time sticking to our newly-formed goals?

Who doesn't want to better themselves each year? Isn't that why we create New Year's Resolutions? It would be so much better if we could stick to the things we would like to change, and for longer than a month. Well, these simple tips and tricks may help you with your resolutions, and maybe 2018 will be the year we actually make our goals stick.

1 - Set Realistic Goals: If you never go to the gym, a resolution to go to the gym everyday is setting the bar a little high, and you're more likely not to stick to it. At the same time, saying you'll go to the gym once a month is setting it too low. You want a goal that you'll be enthusiastic about meeting (and overcoming). Find a happy medium that challenges yourself, but isn't too much of a challenge you can't handle.

2 - Focus on a Few Things: How many New Year's Resolutions do you have? Don't overdo it, trying to change every aspect of your life. Stick to the most important things you think you can accomplish. Depending on your lifestyle and your goals, that could be anywhere from three to twenty things you want to accomplish. This goes hand-in-hand with the first tip, be realistic.

3 - Keep Track of Your Resolutions: Reward yourself by allowing yourself to see the goal you're accomplishing. Want to lose weight for the New Year? Write down your weight on a calendar, and continue to mark it as you lose the weight. Seeing your progress will make it even easier to continue with your goal. Is giving back to the community one of your resolutions? Write down when you do something, whether it's volunteer at America's Greatest Heart Run and Walk, donating to the Children's Miracle Network, or getting involved in another way. Record it somewhere you can see on a daily or weekly basis as a friendly reminder, and to let you know whether you need to step up more or not.

4 - Make a Plan: Sure, losing weight can be a great resolution, but if you just say, "I want to lose 20 pounds" and hope it magically happens, good luck. How are you going to achieve your goals? If losing 20 pounds is your goal, maybe plan to go to the gym once a week, maybe even pick the day each week you're going to go. Want to quit smoking? Have a plan of what to do when you get cravings. A little planning now, will go a long way and help you reach those goals.

5 - Don't Give Up: So your resolution was to quit smoking and at noon on New Year's Day you have a cigarette... It's not over! Just because you broke a resolution, doesn't mean you've ruined it for the year. Just try again. "Alright, no more cigarettes, even though I had that one earlier today." Same with if you're supposed to go to the gym at least once a week, and the first week of the New Year you don't. Go the following week. Whether it's January or July, your resolutions are for the year, keep working at it.

New Year's Resolutions are hard, there's no doubt about that. And it's no wonder why most resolutions fail or are forgotten before January is over. We hope these tips help, and here's to a great 2018!

 


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