Blog Post

Best Year Ever

January 18, 2016

Kris Drake RN, CHPD
“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” – Oprah Winfrey

 

As I get older, each new year seems to come sooner than the one before. Time really does fly! With the new year come traditional New Year’s resolutions, such as losing weight, getting physically fit, spending less money and quitting smoking, to name a few.

This year, resolutions include opting to spend more face-to-face time with family and friends instead of communicating through social media. Others are making resolutions to be more grateful or give their time by volunteering. Some people are choosing one-word themes for the year – empower, believe, courage and freedom, for example.

It has been reported that 44 percent of Americans make resolutions but only 8 percent of those who make resolutions actually succeed at keeping them. So, what can you do to increase your odds?

Determine what motivated you to create your resolution and why it’s important. Maybe your goal is to lose weight because you are preparing for a vacation on the beach or your wedding. Maybe your physician told you to lose weight to lower your risk of heart disease or diabetes. 

Remind yourself daily of your goal. Write it down, and put it on your mirror or the refrigerator. Create a visualization board with pictures of what you hope to accomplish in 2016 and place it where you see it each day.

Plan for obstacles and how you will overcome them. If your goal is to prepare for a 5K in the spring and your training begins in January, you will need to have a back-up plan for inclement weather. If you normally run outside, you will need to have a treadmill or inside track available.

Reward yourself for accomplishments along the way. If you lose 10 pounds toward your 40-pound goal, treat yourself to a massage, pedicure or manicure.

Partner up with someone with similar goals. We all know that being accountable to someone else makes us less likely to give in to the temptation to hang it up.

Plan ahead. Make your lunch the night before or schedule your workouts on your calendar.

Finally, believe in yourself and give yourself permission to succeed. You’ve got this. Here’s to your best year yet!

Resources:
Forbes, Jason Selk, January 2016
Inc., Gretchen Rubin, December 2015