How to stick to your New Year resolutions?

Hey all, Wish you a Great New Year. The new year has begun and its once again time to make new resolutions. I am sure many of you would even be ready with the resolutions.

What are these New Year resolutions and Why?

More often than not, it’s a promise that we make to ourselves or with our near and dear ones to kick one bad habit and imbibe a good change for a better future.

A New Year resolution can be:

Weight loss
Get fit and regular exercise
Eating healthy
Joining yoga class,
Quit the butt (Giving up smoking)
Quitting excess alcohol consumption etc
Involve with some sport and many more such things

Largely, I have noticed that most resolutions are around health and lifestyle. What is difficult though is to stick to the resolution made. It’s not easy to keep the enthusiasm going week after week. Especially when you have never played a sport or been active in the past.

It’s not easy to maintain the same motivation levels throughout the year. Discipline is hard to come by. Most people don’t feel motivated enough and they give up within few days. It takes focus, planning and determination to stick to resolutions made. It takes the same amount of time to change a particular habit.

Here are few tips on how to stick with your New Year resolution and make it successful?

Golden Rule: Make your goal achievable do not aim for goal which is too difficult to achieve

Once you have decided on your achievable resolution write it down. Writing it down makes a greater connection between your thinking self and doing self. This makes the resolution more real than it is only in your head.
Change one behaviour at a time. Replacing unhealthy behaviour with healthier ones require time
Fitness cannot be your short-term goal.
If you want to eat junk food think what are the benefits you will derive from it. It’s the same as thinking before making any financial investments. Occasionally you can include a piece of Pizza or a burger but not daily.
If you are looking to reduce 20 Kgs then achieve the target by reducing 2-3 kgs in a month. It is not practical to lose 20 kgs in 2 months because it took years to accumulate all that fat and it will only go slowly.
If you want to quit smoking and you are smoking 20 sticks in a day then reduce it gradually. You cannot stop immediately because it will take some time for your body and mind to adapt to the change.
If you intend to start working out, yoga or any other activity in the morning then begin with 3 days a week instead of 7 days a week.
For working out most have the issue of waking up early. Try to start at a time comfortable to you. If you wake up daily at 8 am but plan to start working out at 5 am then it will seldom happen because your circadian system will take time to adjust. Instead try to wake up at 7 am which is practical and you will continue for a long time.
Be positive while thinking about your achievable goal. Instead of saying I cannot do something, say I feel much better doing this
Always tell your near and dear ones about your resolution and seek their support in order to successfully achieve your goal.
Review your progress and reward yourself on the first target achieved