Top Tips For Starting The New Year Healthy
Going into a new year often comes with resolutions to better one’s life. In 2021, about 50 percent of these resolutions involved exercising more and eating right. At the end of 2018, one survey found that only four percent of people who made resolutions kept them all.
It seems harmless enough to make these resolutions even if they fail. The fact is, though, failing at anything impacts your mental health. Following some of the top tips for keeping New Year’s resolutions can improve your odds, though.
Be Specific When You Choose Your Goal
“I vow to lose weight this year” is too vague. It is a goal that has no teeth.
Instead, hold yourself accountable by setting specific but obtainable goals that you can follow all year. “I want to lose 24 pounds this year.” Twenty-four pounds is just two pounds a month. That is a very obtainable goal for someone who wants to drop some weight.
Pick goals you can measure so you know when you achieve them. If you want to walk every day, set a distance or number of steps and measure to make sure you get there. If you want to read more to help you relax, decide to read one book a month.
Find a Path to Your Goal
Your resolution will lose some punch if you are not sure how to accomplish it. “I will go to the gym six days a week.” It’s a great goal, but is it obtainable in your life? Can you carve out time in your day for the gym and still meet your other responsibilities, for example? Can you afford the price of the gym fee? How about getting to the gym? Do you have transportation?
If you want to take your New Year’s resolutions seriously, then think them through. Make sure you have the know-how and the resources to achieve that goal before you choose it.
Motivation Matters
It is one thing to say you want to get healthier in the new year, but do you mean it? Don’t pick a goal because you think it’s expected of you. Choose something that means something to you. If you want to lose weight, you’ll have a better shot of getting it done than if you just figure you should lose weight.
Make It Simple
The simpler, the better because the easier it is for you to do, the more likely you will keep it up all year. For instance, instead of promising to count calories, figure out other ways to improve your eating habits, like filling half your plate with vegetables or cutting out all processed sugar.
If you are new to exercise, going to the gym every day might be a bit much. Instead, plan to walk every evening or get a bike and ride around the neighborhood. Make choices that fit well with your lifestyle, and that will be easy for you to do.
Consider All Aspects of Health
Health is a broad concept. For some, being healthy means managing their weight and exercising. For others, it might mean doing things that benefit mental health, like meditating or staying off social media at night.
Sit down and think about what you want to improve or what will make you feel better. Don’t just go with what is trending. Pick something specific to your situation.
Don’t Set Yourself Up to Fail
If you end up with the exact same New Year’s resolution every year and fail, pick something new or take a different path to achieve your goal. If you want to lose weight, consider cutting out meat three days a week or giving up sweet drinks. Don’t choose something that you are pretty sure you will not be able to accomplish because you have not been able to before.
Make Family or Friend Resolutions
Everything is more accessible when you do it with someone else. Look for someone in your family or a friend who wants to achieve the same health goal as you and work together. You can keep each other accountable and motivated.
More than anything else, celebrate the little victories. If you made it one week keeping your resolution, pat yourself on the back. If you fail the next week, then remind yourself that you have proven you can do it.
