As a new year approaches, so begins the talk about resolutions. About 45% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions every year, so it’s no wonder that settings goals is such a hot topic. However, only about 8% of people are successful in sticking to their resolution through the entire year. Although that may seem low, the good news is that you are more likely to keep a New Year’s Resolution versus making a habit change at any other time of the year.
It comes as no surprise that getting fit and losing weight are the top two New Year’s Resolutions, respectively. If you are one of the millions of people with this goal, here are some tips to make sure you make it into the group of successful resolution-makers.
1. Accountability
Having a good support system is vital to making any change in your life. If you recruit friends or family to make sure you stay on track with your health journey, you are 95% likely to achieve your goal. However, these support systems don’t have to be face to face. Find people on Argus within the social community and start a challenge. Ask them to check up on you periodically to make sure you are staying on track.
2. Track your progress
Whether it’s taking two seconds off your mile time or losing just one pound, every little thing is a victory. These victories add up and put you on the path to reaching your goal. Keeping track of your progress is a great motivator and will help you see how you are getting closer to your goal. Argus is a good tool for this. You can track everything from your weight and macronutrient intake to your bike rides!
3. Don’t view it as the whole year
An entire year can be overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to take things in smaller, more manageable pieces. Studies show that it takes an average of 66 days to make something into a habit. So, use this as a more manageable view of achieving your resolution. Once that initial 66 days is over, take another 66 days to tweak your newly formed habit.
4. Make a plan
Don’t wait until Dec. 31 at 11:59 to make a resolution. Plan out your goal and exactly how you are going to achieve it ahead of time. This will get you in the mindset of making the change once that clock strikes midnight.
5. Be specific
When creating your resolution, make sure it’s precise. People who make explicit resolutions are ten times more likely to be successful than those who don’t. This makes your resolution measurable, so it’s easier to know if you are successful. By doing this, your resolution will be less lofty and more concrete. If your goal is to lose weight, select a specific number as your goal. Want to start running? Determine how far do you want to run. A 5k, a 10k, or maybe even a marathon?
6. Don’t overwhelm yourself
Be reasonable with your resolution. It’s great to set goals, but you’ll be disappointed if you can’t reach them. That is why it is important to be realistic when making your resolution. Losing 100 pounds or shaving five minutes off your mile time might not be achievable, but losing 30 pounds and taking one minute off your mile are more sensible. Just make sure your resolution is within reach.
Additionally, if you make multiple resolutions, the change will be huge and harder to deal with. Think about starting with one and adding a new goal every two months. This way you can get used to the changes and slowly add your resolutions. Your transition will be gradual and easier to handle.
7. Don’t get discouraged
You won’t be able to see results right away so stick with it. It’s also ok to have bad days, but don’t let those bad days turn into a bad week or month. Take each day one at a time and if you have one bad day, don’t worry, it’s perfectly normal. The good news is that the next day is a clean slate so it gives you the chance to start over and have a good day. Keeping your resolution is no easy task, but with these tips you’ll have tools you need to make sure you reach your goal. Happy New Year from all of us at Azumio!
Photo Credit: Hrecheniuk Oleskii/Shutterstock.com
