Every January 1st, millions of Americans create one or even several “New Year’s Resolutions”, however statistics indicate that more than half of these are abandoned by mid February. Author and clinical psychologist John Duffy Ph.D says “Most of us have a natural bent toward self-improvement, and the beginning of the year offers a fresh start and a clean slate.” Recent polls indicate that exercising more and losing weight are the top 2 resolutions every year. In fact, each January, gyms offer promotions and deals to those who want to take action on this resolution. However, according to Time Magazine, “60% of gym memberships go unused and attendance is usually back to normal by mid-February.”
This year is the time to make your resolutions count. Sit down and create your schedule for a “New You” in the New Year. The biggest challenge to making your 2014 resolutions stick is creating ones that are practical to begin with. When you decide to commit and write down your “New You” Resolutions this year consider these helpful tips:
1. Write it Down:
Write it out with pride and post it where it will remind you of the goals you have set.
2. Put a Number to it:
Decide how many times a week, or month you can do something and maybe avoid a goal of “everyday.” Life happens, and “everyday” may be unfeasible.
3. Keep it Realistic:
Although the idea of losing 10 lbs in a week sounds great on infomercials it’s not necessarily healthy or realistic. Weight loss goals should be based on losing 1 – 2 lbs per week. If you want to lose it and keep it off, then choose to keep your goals real.
4. Enlist Help From Others:
Call your best friend and convince him or her to make a resolution with you. Work with each other for the purpose of accountability. Enlist your most energetic and motivated friends and have a Resolution Party.
5. Seek out the Advice of an Expert:
If you have exercise goals, seek out a certified Exercise Physiologist, nutrition goals- meet with a Registered Dietitian, or if it’s to organize your life – hire a Personal Organizer.
6. Set Yourself up for Success:
Think positively when you set goals. People have greater success adding to their daily life then taking away. Try this, “I will eat at least one cup of berries three times each week.” When you add in fruit and vegetables you often have less room for chips and dip.
7. Remember to Follow-up:
When you write down your goals take the time to write down follow-up dates in your calendar. For weekly goals check on yourself every three months, and for monthly goals check on yourself in six months.
8. Last, but not Least, Remember to Reward:
Treat yourself to a massage, a facial or a new outfit when your resolution has been met and your goal has become a habit.
New Year’s Resolutions are a way for us to touch base with ourselves and look for ways to make improvements. Don’t stress over them. Instead, make them positive, make them real, and make them stick.
Here’s to You in the New Year.
Most of our patients want to improve their health and live productive, pain-free lives as they age. If it is not already, regular chiropractic treatment needs to be part of your preventive health strategy to maintain a pain-free active lifestyle.
The chiropractic physicians at Performance Health Center are here to assist you in the functional part of your health which includes your posture and spine. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Thomas Ball M.S., D.C.