A new year and a new decade is upon us and with that comes the wave of New Year’s Resolutions. It’s always easy to set lofty goals about all of the things we’ll change in the New Year, but keeping up with these resolutions can be a lot more difficult than we think.

Instead of setting impossible goals for our resolutions, let’s see how we can aim for more achievable results that eventually lead to the bigger lifestyle changes you want to make.

Start with small goals

Let’s say your New Year’s Resolution is to lose 30 pounds by February. That gives you exactly 1 month from the new year to get to your goal – that is neither attainable nor healthy! 

Keep your larger goal in mind, but start with the smaller goals. Set short-term goals to lose weight and improve health. For example, aim to lose only 1 to 2 pounds per week with a diet and exercise regimen that is tailor-made for you. According to the University of Michigan Health blog, “roughly 90% of people who lose weight eventually regain just about all of it.” If you’re crash dieting and working out like crazy, you’re bound to be part of that statistic that bounces back as soon as you stop. 

When thinking of the long term, yes, you may want to lose those 30 pounds, but it’s better to aim for a healthier overall lifestyle. When you change your lifestyle to one that makes you feel better and improves your wellness, then it becomes easier to reach your health resolutions.

Build new habits

The key to adopting a lifestyle change is making it a part of your routine. Research says that it can take 66 days or roughly two months to create a healthy habit. The key to success is performing your new habit consistently and often. 
Recording your progress can help you stay on track when you have those days where things just don’t go as planned. Setbacks happen and that’s okay! Healthy habits are learned and once you’ve made them a part of your routine they’ll become an automatic part of your day and you’ll be closer to your health goals.

Friends & family keep you accountable

Let your friends and family help you reach your goals by telling them and helping you stay accountable! You could even have them jump in with you when it comes to eating a healthier diet or join you on a workout session every now and then. It’s hard to make big lifestyle changes on your own, so let your circle be your support network!

Celebrate each success

Don’t forget to celebrate your small successes! Think of each change as a small “win” that helps you build healthier and more positive habits to reach your bigger lifestyle goals. You deserve to celebrate! 

The team at Dopson Family Medical Center can help you reach your health goals. Kassie Shoup, ARNP, has more than 13 years of experience and specializes in helping patients manage their weight to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Schedule an appointment with her or one of our other qualified healthcare providers by visiting our website or calling (904) 259-7815.