A New Year’s resolution is a firm decision people often make on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day to do something or refrain from doing something in the coming year. They may resolve to exercise more, lose weight, get organized, learn a new skill or hobby, live life to the fullest, save more money or spend less, quit smoking or drinking, spend more time with family and friends, travel more, or read more.
Oftentimes, people make these resolutions because they want to change a particular behavior or trait, accomplish a personal goal, or improve their health in the new year. Sadly, some people who make New Year’s resolutions fail to meet their dreams and aspirations for the new year.
Tips on How to Approach New Year’s Resolutions
Here are the top five tips on how to approach New Year’s resolutions and get the most out of them:
Mentally Prepare for Change
It’s usually not easy to break a habit, especially one that has been developed over time and is deeply ingrained. So, it’s better for you to prepare for the new change that is to come as you try to accomplish the new set goals.
Set Motivational Goals
Have you ever tried to do something you were not motivated to do? It’s often quite challenging to make yourself do it. The same thing applies to setting goals. Set goals you are motivated to accomplish and try to accomplish them in a fun way. If seeing family is difficult, try to combine it with something you enjoy such as watching a movie together. Your goals must align with your priorities, dreams, and aspirations for them to be achievable.
Be Specific
It’s nice to be specific when setting goals for the new year because the more specific you are, the higher the chances of achieving your goals. For example, you may say you would like to reduce your weight by 10% in the coming year instead of setting a 100% target.
Limit Goals
Limit your goals to a manageable amount, do not try to change everything at once. Otherwise, you’ll find it overwhelming and give up if you try to accomplish too many things at once. Prioritize your goals and focus on the ones that matter most first, instead of trying to realize all of them and then achieving none.
Break up Goals
Remember that Rome was not built in a day. So, break up bigger goals into smaller chunks to make them more achievable. For example, aiming to lose weight in the new year is good, but planning how to do it is even better. So, to achieve your weight loss goal, you begin by increasing water intake. If you are tired, drinking a glass of water can hydrate you and give you more energy. After the water, you can walk for ten minutes and feel more awake and refreshed. Doing an hour workout can be difficult to schedule for some people, ten minute walks, or going up and down the stairs a few times are more easily achievable. The walks can be refreshing and the number of steps add up. Add fun workouts where possible, there are many videos you can watch online if it is to cold outside. People with small children find video game workouts, which you can play together with your kids, work best. This increase family time and fitness. Nintendo switch has Zumba, Just Dance and Fitness Boxing which are fun to do together.
New Year’s resolutions are easier said than done, but your dreams and aspirations for the new year are achievable if you follow these simple tips on how to approach New Year’s resolutions: mentally prepare for change, set motivational goals, be specific, limit goals, and break up larger goals into smaller, hopefully fun pieces.
How BeLite Can Help
Is weight loss one of your New Year’s resolutions? BeLite can help!
BeLite is a physician run, state-of-the art weight loss center, which uses medications and medical advances to combat genetics, hormones, and set points so adults can lose weight and maintain it. Gaining and losing weight repeatedly adversely impacts your metabolism.
BeLite accepts healthy adults and adults with health issues. We have many doctors, nurses and other medical personnel as patients. Our medical director, Richard Rothman M.D., PhD, researched weight loss medications while a Section Chief at NIH. He established BeLite, a medically oriented weight loss practice, in 1995. New medications, improved medication management and new study results, help people lose substantial weight and maintain it. Online scheduling from our BeLite webpage 24/7 @ www.belite.com, email belitemed@gmail.com or call 703 359-9200.
