Strategies for keeping your resolutions this 2021
Losing weight and getting healthy are probably the two most common resolutions that people make for the new year. I expect 2021 to be no different as they are both two important health goals. Usually, though, these resolutions seem too hard to achieve and people fall back into their old health ways. Changing old habits can be difficult and seem impossible at times, but remember, the hardest part of anything is the beginning.
When it comes to setting up your new year goals it is important to make them digestible. By that, I mean to make your goals very specific and ultimately foolproof. Back to the previous example of wanting your goal this year to live a healthier life; that can mean many things. Maybe you want a healthier diet, a healthier mental state, or even a healthier physical state; you can even want all three but your intentions must be made clear. Once you have established your clear new years goal (ex. I want to live a healthier life physically and mentally); you must turn that big goal into bite-size pieces. These pieces are considered to be the stepping stones of your goal. Consider them to be the steps that you will take in order to achieve your big new year’s resolution. Since our goal is to live a healthier life physically and mentally; some of our bite-size steps may be to eat cleaner, work out daily, get 8 hours of sleep, set aside time for self-care each day, or even to drink a gallon of water daily. All of these pieces are actionable steps that will help you get closer and closer to your new year’s resolution.
The best way to get started on your new year’s resolutions is to come up with a list of 12 stepping stones for your goal (ex. healthier life) that you can dedicate one habit to each month. Ideally, you want to piggyback the next step off of the previous. For example, for January maybe you decide to exercise 4-5 days a week; then when it comes to February you will not only start a new habit but you will continue on with January’s habit. Come December you will have built up a plethora of healthy habits that when combined, gives you a checkmark next to your new year’s resolution.
While this is how you build up your resolutions and keep it digestible, there is more to it than just that. You must also commit to these changes. Change can be tough; however, once you reap the benefits of these changes you will not want to turn back. So not only do you have to understand your goals, but you must also be completely committed to making them a reality.
Below are five other strategies to help keep you on track for your new year’s resolutions.
Add to your diet
Add color to your plates by including different color veggies like kale, broccoli, spinach, brussel sprouts, carrots, beets, squash, eggplant, radishes, and cabbage. If there’s not enough room on your plate, you less starchy sides to make room for the extra veggies. Or add a salad to your lunch and dinner. Another way to add to your diet is to start taking supplements like Vitamin D, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and a good multivitamin for your age group. Adding more water to your diet is another habit to help you achieve your goal of living a healthier life.
Think ahead and plan
Planning your goals is essential. Creating an outline of your big goals with the steps that you are going to take to get there helps make a visual outline of everything that you wish to achieve over the next year. You can use this visual outline as a motivational tool. When you feel like giving up, just take a look at your ultimate goal and the small changes you have made and are currently making. This will help inspire you to get back on track! Meal prepping is also essential. Set aside at least one day a week to prepare healthy meals and snacks. This way when you are pressed for time and hungry, you already have food made and won’t be tempted to stop and get fast food. If your goal is to exercise in the morning, then have your workout clothes and sneakers all ready to go or your gym bag packed the night before.
Find an activity you enjoy
Do not force yourself to do things that you do not enjoy. For example, if you wish to work out but hate going to the gym, don’t buy that membership just because you may feel inclined to do so. Instead find an alternative: an outdoor walk, an online yoga class, daily stretches, a simple bike ride. There are so many other ways to hit your big goal, it just takes is a little exploring into your options.
Be kind to yourself and get back on track
We are human and we all make mistakes. We have bad days when we are grouchy, we sleep in, or we may really just want a serving of ice cream at night. When you stumble onto a day where you are less motivated and give in to temptation, don’t feel bad about yourself. You cannot change the past. Instead be kind to yourself and start fresh the next day. It is not about how many times you give in, it is all about how many times you can bounce back.
Celebrate goals by writing out a list of attainable achievement milestones
For example, if your goal is to lose 30 pounds. break it down into 5 pound milestones and reward yourself with something healthy, like flowers or new workout clothes, every time you hit a milestone. This step is a very important one, to treat yourself. Give yourself something to work for. By giving yourself these small milestones to work toward, it will help you achieve your goal.
Remember that, as long as you tried, there are really no unsuccessful resolutions. It’s always a good thing when you try to improve your body and mind. It can happen at any time of year, not just New Year’s Day. The best resolutions are the ones that you choose to do something that you like to do, or have been meaning to do for a while. Just start. Imperfect actions are better than no action at all. The more you do it and add your goals to your everyday life, the easier it it will be for you to succeed!
