The New Year is right around the corner and people are thinking about what major changes they want to make in the coming weeks and months. As you consider all of the changes you can make in the New Year—remember this isn’t just a temporary change—the best New Year’s Resolutions are those that last!
They say the vast majority of New Year’s resolutions are abandoned within a few months or less. We spend so much time thinking about the changes we want to make and getting prepared to actually initiate those changes, that when it comes time to actually do it, we are excited and motivated. Excitement and motivation are great but they are temporary. In order for a New Year’s resolution to last, you must be prepared for when the motivation is low and the excitement has long since waned.
If you are the type to make New Year’s resolutions, think about resolutions of years past. What worked and what didn’t?
More than likely, the resolutions that worked were those you didn’t make a big deal about, those you saw as lifestyle changes rather than big events. The calm approach associated with changing one lifestyle behavior can be far more lasting than the big excitement associated with a New Year’s resolution. No fan fare, no streamers—just a simple change in your life.
Before the New Year hits, think about maintaining this lifestyle change for weeks, months, and years to come. There will be days that you don’t feel like being healthy, days where motivation is low and you really aren’t feeling that same initial excitement. By planning in advance for those days, you can be prepared and forge ahead regardless of the motivation level.
The best New Year’s resolutions are those that are maintained throughout the year and for years to come. They are the resolutions that you make regardless of the date. You make them for the right reasons, not simply because you’re feeling guilty over those last dozen holiday cookies. Resolutions made to amend recent mistakes are far less likely to stand the test of time than those made for lasting health reasons.
Don’t start the year with a resolution you know you won’t maintain. Instead, make a realistic resolution that will deliver benefits long after the party hats are put away and the winter thaws.
The New Year is almost upon us and those resolutions are taking shape in people’s minds. Many people make fitness part of their New Year’s Resolutions and commit to making major changes in the next year. Being prepared for your new lifestyle helps ensure that you will actually follow through with it. Learning the basics is crucial to feeling confident in your fitness endeavor and knowing how to exercise is quite basic.