Millions of people set resolutions yet 80% of us give up. This is because we set unrealistic goals for ourselves that are too drastic to follow.
How to stick to your New Year’s resolutions
Be realistic
Change one small thing at a time and you will see your progress flow. Expecting to become a fitness expert overnight or lose 2 stone in a month will only frustrate you. Slow and steady wins the race!
Plan
Decide what you want to change about your lifestyle ahead of New Years Day. What will truly make an impact to you? What can you do to put a plan in place and make sure you stick to it? Thinking of these things in advance can really help to visualize your goals and next steps.
Develop a support network
Friends, family and colleagues can help you – tell them how they can assist you. Ask you colleagues to go on cigarette breaks without you or ask your family to eat healthily with you. Having a support network makes everything easier.
Reward yourself
Celebrate when you succeed, but not with the thing you’re trying to avoid. You might mark the first full month of attending a new class with a trip to the cinema.
Treat failure as a small setback
If you break your diet, have a one off cigarette, or don’t find the time to exercise once or twice, don’t despair! Learn from it: what made you do it? Can you avoid it in the future? Don’t beat yourself up about it – Start fresh the next day. Don’t give up!
Measure your successes
Measuring how far you’ve come each week will help you to stay motivated. Keep note of your progress and compare this as the months pass.
Make your resolution stick
After 3 weeks, the changes you’ve made will become a habit and part of your routine. If you’re still finding it hard after the first week, don’t worry, that’s normal. Stick to it!
