A new year is upon us and I’m pretty sure many of us have already drawn up a list of New Year resolutions. But once the holiday high starts to clear and real life resumes, it’s hard to make many of those pledges stick. According to some research, after a week into the new year, just 77 percent of resolution makers are still on track, and after six months, only about 40 percent will have stayed the course.
Why is maintaining resolutions so tough? There are different reasons, such as setting a goal that’s too vague or having unrealistic expectations (lose 10kg in 2 weeks—ha!). But perhaps the biggest challenge is turning your wishes into immediate action, then sticking with it. However with determination, nothing is impossible.
A new you in the new year starts right here. Here are a few resolutions and tips to add to your list.
Lose weight
The fact that this is constantly among the most popular resolutions suggests just how difficult it is to commit to. But you can succeed if you don’t expect magic. Beware of the valley of quickie cures *hint hint* teas and waist trainers. Most of these do not have a lasting impact, if they do work at all.
Instead of making an ‘I want to lose weight’ pledge, try ‘I’m going to put more fruits and vegetables on my plate,'” so the resolution is a positive action that you can perform over and over.
Also, plan for bumps in the road. Use a food journal to keep track of what you eat and have a support system in place. Have somebody to help keep you accountable and talk you down from the ledge when it feels like you want to fall face first into some cake. It’s important to have someone there on a regular basis to get you through those rough times.
Also be sure that you’re doing it for the right reasons, The ultimate goal is to be as healthy as possible for you.
Maybe you hope to set a good example for your kids. Or you’re just tired of not fitting into your old jeans. If you know the reason that’s fueling your desire to eat better, you can use it to motivate yourself when that cake starts calling your name.
Stay in touch
Sometimes adulting and responsibilities get in the way and it may start to feel like old friends (or family) have fallen by the wayside. It’s good for your health to reconnect with them. Research suggests people with strong social ties live longer than those who don’t.
In fact, a lack of social bonds can damage your health as much as alcohol abuse and smoking, and even more than obesity and lack of exercise,
In a technology-fixated era, it’s even easier to stay in touch—or rejuvenate your relationship—with friends and family, almost everybody is a Whatsapp message away and then you can follow up with in-person visits.
Quit smoking
Smoking is one habit that has been linked to several health issues and is also a recognized risk factor for different types of cancer. If you’ve tried to quit before without success, this new year is as good a time as any to try again. You may find that multiple attempts are often the path to success.
Try different methods to find out what works. And think of the money you’ll save! (And of course your body will be the better for it.)
It’s one of the harder habits to quit but with the right help it’s very doable. So speak to your doctor about available methods and maybe even join a support group to help you stay the course.
Save money
Save money by making healthier lifestyle choices. Consider getting a bike which you can ride on weekends or even to school or work if it’s not far from home. Also finding other people in your area who go to work in the same direction as you so you don’t all have to drive individually and carpool instead. (That means more money in your pocket and less air pollution.)
The money spent on that gym membership you hardly use could also be saved by exercising at home. Many fitness programs on videogame systems like Nintendo’s Wii Wii Fit Plus and Microsoft’s Xbox Kinect Your Shape Fitness Evolved can get you sweating.
Take stock of what you have in the fridge and make a grocery list. Aimless supermarket shopping can lead to poor choices for your diet and wallet.
Cut your stress
A little pressure now and again won’t kill us; in fact, short bouts of stress give us an energy boost. But if stress is chronic, it can increase your risk of—or worsen—insomnia, depression, obesity, heart disease, and more.
Long work hours, little sleep, no exercise, poor diet, and not spending time with family and friends can contribute to stress,
“Stress is an inevitable part of life, “Relaxation, sleep, socializing, and taking vacations are all things we tell ourselves we deserve but don’t allow ourselves to have.”
A quiet vacation may be all you need to make you feel like a new man/woman. Don’t deprive yourself too much in a bid to be frugal.
I’m sure we all have many other things we plan to do differently this year. It this is a good place to start from.
Cheers to a happy healthy new year.
