Tips to Stick to Your New Year’s Health Resolutions
January 4, 2021
With the holiday season behind us, many of us shift our focus to New Year’s resolutions. While we all try to stick with those resolutions, most of us find that our initial motivation and commitment dwindles after the first few weeks. The challenge is to keep pushing through those moments of doubt. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Change doesn’t happen overnight, and new habits take time to stick.
If you’re ready to make a change and get healthier this year, here are 10 tips to help you stick to (and achieve) your New Year’s goal:
1. Make sure your resolution is SMART
- Specific: Keep your goal well-defined
- Measurable: Make sure you can measure your progress towards your goal
- Achievable: Your goal should be realistic
- Relevant: Make sure you pick goals that you’re motivated to achieve and are relevant to your lifestyle
- Timely: Set a deadline for your goal
2. Keep it simple
Focus on 1-2 specific goals so you’re not overwhelmed and have a higher chance of achieving those resolutions.
3. Make a plan
If you want to start eating healthy, do some research on healthy foods and plan a trip to the grocery store so you don’t have to grab whatever is on hand when you’re hungry.
4. Avoid your past mistakes
If your goal is similar to a resolution that failed in the past, take the time to figure out why you failed last time and try to find a better way that really works for you and your daily life. If you found that you can’t motivate yourself to carve out solo workouts, ask a friend or family member to join you and keep each other accountable.
5. Take baby steps
Set small, attainable goals and use the motivation of accomplishing your ‘mini-goals’ for your overall goal. If your goal is to get healthy this year, start by scheduling your annual wellness exam. If you are starting a new exercise routine, don’t commit to five days a week right off the bat. Try to set aside two days a week and build from there.
6. Build a support network
Tell your doctor, friends, family, and loved ones about your goals and ask them to help keep you on track. If you are trying to avoid alcohol or tobacco, make plans with friends that support your goals – like going for a walk instead meeting for happy hour.
7. Stay motivated
If things get tough, don’t give up. Think back to your initial motivation. Remind yourself why you’re doing this and stay positive. Write down your health goals, track your progress with selfies – anything that keeps you going!
8. Cut yourself some slack
One doughnut or piece of cake won’t completely derail your path to eating healthy. Instead of deciding that you failed, focus on how you’ll do better tomorrow.
9. Reward Yourself
Celebrate your wins! Pamper yourself or do an activity you enjoy doing - just make sure you don’t choose a reward that puts your goals in danger.
10. Track your progress
Use a calendar or a journal to track your progress. When you visit your doctor, compare notes and together you can create a plan to keep you on track.
ACCESS providers are always here to help you reach your health goals.
As of March 23, 2023