New Years resolutions are kind of like your drunk uncle. No one really takes him seriously, but it’s fun to laugh and play along with him once every year.
Now if you're anything like me, you probably make a New Years resolution that you actively try and keep for about 3 weeks and then you give up entirely. In fact, if you asked me to tell you my resolution from last year, I couldn't. And I know I'm not alone in this. So why is it that New Years resolutions are so tough to keep? And why have so many of us stopped taking them seriously?
Let's start by looking at the most common resolutions - Nielsen's US consumer data generated the following list of the most common resolutions from last year:
1 Stay fit and healthy - 37%
2 Lose weight - 32%
3 Enjoy life to the fullest - 28%
4 Spend less, save more - 25%
5 Spend more time with family and friends - 19%
6 Get organized - 18%
7 Will not make any resolutions - 16%
8 Other - 16%
You probably realize that these numbers don’t add up to 100% and that’s because many of us make resolutions that involve two or three different things. And maybe that lack of specificity is part of the problem. If you are like me and you want to make a resolution that you’ll actually keep this year, then follow these steps:
1 Be specific! If you say things like “lose weight” or “exercise more” or “spend more time with family”, your resolution will likely fail. While I’m sure your intentions are good, the more specific you make your resolution, the higher your chances of sticking with it.
2 Make it measurable! If your goal is to lose weight, then how much weight do you want to lose? And when do you want to lose it by? If you’re reaching for the stars and want to lose 30 or 40 or 50 pounds, then start by making smaller mini goals to help get you there.
3 Have fun! If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing and you aren’t having fun, then chances are you won’t stick with it. If you want to eat healthier, then find some fun recipes to make. If you want to exercise more, then consider joining rec sport leagues or group gym classes with your friends. Make your resolution a challenge, but make it fun.
Here at Foundation Chiropractic Co., we want to support you as much as possible. If your resolution involves getting healthy, living a more natural lifestyle, or getting some great chiropractic care, then we are the place for you! If your resolution is to build a rocket ship to the moon so you can see the world, then you’re on your own (but please take us with you).