Four Ways to Make Your New Year’s Resolution Goals Stick

Incorporate these four habits into your daily regimen, and you’ll be on your way to making your New Year’s resolution goals stick for good.

It’s day 29 of the new year – how are you doing? You know what I’m talking about – that New Year’s resolution that you so confidently made less than a month ago.  Statistics say that ~45% of Americans make resolution each year. Of those, a much smaller percentage keep them.  What’s the reason?  The majority opt to revolutionize something that is, well, hard to change. If you want some specifics, check out my post about reconsidering your New Year’s resolution.

If you’re on track with your goals, fantastic! But, if you didn’t set a goal, or you already fell off track – not to worry. There are 365 days in a year. Each day is an opportunity to live better.  You’ll need to formulate a plan to be successful, though.  Or, maybe for you it’s re-formulate a plan. Whatever the case, follow these four steps to turn your dream into your reality.

Adjust Your Attitude

You can do this. But, you’ll need to believe you can if you want to be successful.  Remind yourself that you are amazing, in control, and capable of making awesome decisions about your life.  Stay positive and repeat over and over again…I am awesome and capable!

Determine Behaviors

This week, write down everything you eat and drink for the entire week.  Include the time you eat, how much you eat, and most importantly why you eat or drink it.  At the end of the week, evaluate your journal.  Have you noticed anything about your habits? Get a piece of paper and write down exactly what you see wrong with your eating plan. If you’re not sure, seek help.  Schedule a consultation with a registered dietitian to help you set up a plan.

Set Weekly Goals

Now, get another piece of paper and write down very specific behaviors that you want to change from your journal.  Here are a few examples:

– Stop drinking so much juice. Instead, I will drink more water.

– Avoid skipping breakfast. Instead, I will eat something for breakfast each morning.

– Eliminate all pre-packaged snacks.  Instead, I will eat fruit and cheese as my snack most days.

– Avoid eating out for lunch every day. Instead, I will pack my lunch ar least 3 days a week.

– Stop avoiding vegetables. Instead, I will add a serving of vegetables to dinner each night.

Work on one behavior to change each week. Get a new sheet of paper and write really big  what your goal for the week is.  Make is specific and realistic.

For example, you could write, “I am going to drink water instead of juice 5 out of 7 days this week.”  Hang that piece of paper on the refrigerator where you can see it! And, don’t forget to add how awesome you are for sticking to your goal.

At the end of the first week, determine how you did and decide if you feel ready to add to your goal.  If you still feel like downing some juice, keep that goal for another week.  If you’re able to say “what juice,” move onto making a new goal.

Reward Your Hard Work

Achieving your goals feels great and boosts your self-esteem to a new level. Now that you know you can do it, you don’t need me to tell you.  In addition to that fabulous feeling of success, you get a reward. Rewarding your success is an extremely important part of your process. So, download a new song, buy a new pair of workout socks, or choose your own non-food reward. Check out these other ways to reward your hard work.

Change is hard work and you deserve it! If you incorporate these habits into your day, you’ll be sure to achieve you New Year’s resolution goals in no time.