5...4...3...2...1... Happy New Year! As the saying goes, new year new you. Right? One of the most exciting (or dreaded) parts is being able to start fresh. And for many of us, a resolution is one those ways to start the new year off right. The tough part is that resolutions can be hard to keep. But they don't need to be– and hopefully, this post will bring you closer to achieving your resolution.
My first piece of advice on being able to keep your resolution is being realistic about your schedule when setting a goal. Most of us are on break for the holidays, however it's important to keep in mind that all your responsibilities from the previous year carry over. Soon we will all be back at school, work, or whatever it is we may do. So, when setting your goal, keep in mind what your schedule looks like for the whole year, not just in the short term. Since this is a fitness blog, I will use the example of going to the gym as my resolution. Right now I have all kinds of free time on my hands, and it would be easy for me to say "Wow, I will go to the gym every day." But as soon as mid-January rolls around, I have classes and clubs, and suddenly my resolution goes out the window.
Another piece of being realistic is knowing what is reasonable for you. Setting a resolution to eat ten apples a day may be considered healthy, but is that possible for you? Apples are delicious, but can you eat ten a day without getting sick of apples? Setting a goal that is reasonable to your lifestyle is key. For someone who already eats two apples a day, three might be a goal they can achieve. But for someone who never eats apples, three apples a week may be a better starting point. Once that becomes normal, you can add more from there. The truth is, it is much easier to give up on something that feels extreme than a goal that is in sight.
Another important thing to consider is to be specific with your goal. Make your goal tangible. Saying I am going to exercise more is a great first step, but really focus on what it is you will do. Run? Lift? Yoga? Exercising more is very broad and hard to measure. Instead, say something like "I will run 2 miles three times a week." Try to have your resolution be able to pass what I like to call the check test. Something passes the check test (and yes, I made this up) when it can be written on a list and checked off each time it is completed. "Exercise more" fails the check test because no one knows what more is. More could be one extra minute. But running 3 times a week can be checked off—one check for each day you run.
Even better, create a list to check for your resolution. This will not only hold you accountable but also create a rewarding feeling each time something is checked off. Being able to feel gratification from your resolution is essential. If you don't feel good about what you're doing, then why even do it? Having a little reward, even one so small as checking something off, can go a long way. It is scientifically proven that completing tasks on your to do list will release dopamine!
Resolutions can be a great way to change your habits for the better. And with these tips, hopefully making that change will feel a little more attainable. Let's start off 2024 right!
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