Healthy Habits Tips – Setting The Perfect New Years Resolution

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Well it's that time again. Time to start thinking about the New Year's resolutions. Will you be able to stick with them this year? Why is it that we set resolutions each year and usually fail to stick with them? Do we simply want to fail? Well, there are definitely some people who simply don't want to succeed, but there are far more who sincerely want to succeed than fail.

Sticking with your resolution begins with setting the right resolution. If you don't set the resolution properly you will never stick with it. The most important part of setting the resolution is to make sure that the resolution is specific. Losing weight, getting in shape and saving money are very common resolutions but they aren't specific. "Getting in shape" doesn't tell you which exercise, for how long and how frequent. "Losing weight" doesn't tell you what foods to eat and how often. You have got to make the resolution as specific as possible.

Here are some examples of general and specific resolutions:

General Specific
I want to eat better I will eat 5 servings of fruit/vegetables each day
I want to exercise more I will start walking 5 minutes per day and increase by 1 minute each week until I am walking 30 minutes per day
I need to relax I will practice relaxation exercises for 10 minutes, 3 times a day (before breakfast, after lunch, and before bedtime)


Make sure that you are successful in reaching your goal right from the start. In the beginning your resolutions need to be things you can actually do. This is very important because behaviors you are successful at, you are more likely to do again. Try setting short-term and long-term resolutions. So you may ultimately want to lose 30 lbs. but what is your goal for the end of the first week of dieting?

Setting the perfect New Year's resolution comes down to three things:

  1. Turn your resolution into specific behaviors.
  2. Make sure your short-term resolutions are attainable.
  3. Set short term and long-term goals.
If you set your New Year's resolutions using these tips- you will find it much easier to stick with them in the New Year.

Log onto Healthy Habits with Dr. Josh Klapow for more tips on how to build healthy habits and keep them.

*The information contained in these articles is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always ask your physician or other qualified health professional about any matter concerning your individual health. Always seek the advice of your physician prior to starting or changing any medical treatment. Nothing contained in these answers is intended for medical diagnoses or treatment purposes.

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