Tricks for a Successful New Year's Resolution

Tis’ the season for New Year’s resolutions!  According to statistics, about 45% of the American population will make a resolution for the upcoming year.  Of that 45%, only 8% will succeed!  Those stats are even worse if you apply the “health & wellness” aspect to the formula.  Even though the odds are against you, it’s still a good idea to set goals for the upcoming year and to take note of some tricks that’ll help you succeed!
 
The goals that you set for yourself need to have certain characteristics.  You need to create short term goals that lead up to a long term goal.  For example, if your long term goal is to lose 20 lbs, what kind of short term goals should you have in order to reach the long term goal?  Having a long term goal is great, but creating supportive goals to help you get there is imperative!
 
Some other tips to ensure you’re successful?  Here are some that I would suggest!

1.  Organize yourself!  If you fail to organize and “schedule” things into your calendar, you’re going to fail.  If one of your short term goals is to exercise 6 days a week, and it isn’t on your schedule – odds are, you won’t do it!  Or if you fall short to plan for a healthy diet in the upcoming few days, you’ll fail miserably….
   
2. Focus on one short term goal at a time.  Don’t try to do everything all at once.  Adding in small changes each week can help you become successful.
   
3. Start NOW!  Everyone always picks a DAY in the future.  Why?  Procrastination is the first sign that you are going to fail.  If you are committed, you’ll start immediately.
   
4. Commit yourself but plan for failures.  Really give it your all!  Commit yourself to stick with the plan, but know that there will be days that you fail, which is ok as long as you plan for it.  If there is a day that you fail, then pick it up the next day and get back on track.  Don’t give up.
   
5. Reward yourself!  Once you start hitting your short term goals, reward yourself!  Whether it’s with a massage, a new outfit, or a night out; celebrating accomplishments are important.
   

 
Health and wellness goals are not easy to accomplish.  A whopping 96% of all weight loss goals fail.  We’ve all had either weight loss and/or nutritional goals that we’ve inevitably botched, however, take note that hiring someone to help you has proven success!  According to a Consumer Report Magazine article titled “The Truth About Dieting” from June of 2002, those who were most successful in their weight loss goals didn’t participate in programs like Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, or any other crazy diet organizations.  The real success came when they hired a psychologist, nutritionist or a personal trainer! 
 
Here at Barberry Health Center, the focus is the right combination of exercise supported by a nutritional, all-natural diet.  No crazy shakes, packaged/expensive foods or anything like that.  It’s learning about real lifestyle changes that can be applied to your individual real life.
 
Being successful at your New Year’s resolution can happen!  Create your goals, organize yourself and commit to it!  You can do it.  Oh, and another trick to sticking to it?  Recruit a spouse or a friend to do it with you!  Odds are always better when you have a partner in crime….  Good luck and Happy New Year!  Cheers to 2017!