Many people set weight-loss related resolutions for the New Year but quickly get discouraged and give up within the first month of trying. How do you avoid giving up on your New Year’s Resolution this year? Set attainable, realistic goals for yourself!
Instead of making a resolution to lose 50 pounds next year or go to the gym 5x week indefinitely, make short term resolutions that focus on changing habits which will result in better health. Even though it’s a resolution for a new “year,” I recommend setting your goals one month at a time. This way they are more achievable and after the first month you have created a healthy habit that you will most likely continue for the months following. It also allows you to work up to an ultimate goal, one month at a time. These goals will grow depending on where you’re starting from in each situation. For example:
Month 1:
- My New Years Resolution is to cook fresh protein and vegetables for myself and my family for dinner 2 days a week.
- My New Years Resolution is to eat dinner at the table together with my family 3 days a week.
- My New Years Resolution is to use My Fitness Pal to track my food during the week.
- My New Years Resolution is to completely avoid any processed or fast food 2 days a week.
- My New Years Resolution is to cut back to one glass of wine a night.
- My New Years Resolution is to walk around the block 1x week.
- My New Years Resolution is to get a membership to a gym and go 1xweek.
- My New Years Resolution is to cut back from 20 cigarettes a day to 17 a day.
Month 2:
- My New Years Resolution is to cook fresh protein and vegetables for myself and my family 3 days a week.
- My New Years resolution is to eat dinner at the table together with my family 4 days a week.
- My New years Resolution is to use My Fitness Pal to track my food and calories every day, aiming at 1500 calories.
- My New Years Resolution is to avoid sweets or processed food 3 days a week
- My New Years Resolution is to have one glass of wine a night 6days/week and one day of no alcohol.
- My News Resolution is to walk the block 2 days a week.
- My New Years resolution is go to the gym 2x week
- My New Years Resolution is to cut back from 17 cigarettes a day to 14 a day.
These are just examples, but the point is to pick whatever it is you want to work on, determine where you’re at now, and create monthly goals that gradually improve the situation You can always re-evaluate towards the end of your one month goal before deciding on your next month’s goals. Make them realistic! Don’t set yourself up for failure. By the end of next year you will have a much better chance of reaching your ultimate goals because you will constantly feel motivation from the success of hitting each month’s goal leading up to it!
Happy New Year Everyone!
