Denton County Living Well Magazine January/February 2016 | Page 21

minutes before I’d like to go to the gym. When I feel like
skipping my workout, sometimes that beep-beep gives me
the extra kick out the door I needed.
4. Use the buddy system.
Almost everything is better with a friend, including resolutions, and it can be more than just a walking buddy. Want
to start saving money on groceries? Challenge a friend.
Plan meals around the store ad, clip coupons and then compare receipts and see who saved the highest percentage.
5. State your goals.
Share your goals and your resolutions with others. People
who explicitly state their goals are more likely to keep
them. It’s social accountability. And with social networks at
your fingertips, it’s possible to tell a whole bunch of people. So send your goals out into the universe and you’ll be
more likely to keep them than just having them as random
thoughts in your head.
6. Track Your Progress.
Tracking your progress on a visual chart is a good way to
stay motivated and accountable. Also, seeing your goals
and progress, helps keep you focused. If a wall chart isn’t
your thing, there are apps available to help you track many
types of goals. There are apps to track fitness, money management and even the books you read.
7. Celebrate little victories.
You deserve it! Just make sure the rewards you choose don’t
work against your goal (i.e. heading on a shopping spree

because you managed to save $100 this month). Think of
a way you can treat yourself like taking a long, relaxing
bubble bath every week you reach your saving’s goal. It’s
a positive reward that will actually help make a healthier,
happier you.
8. Reassess your resolutions.
If something is not working, then it’s okay to go back and
modify your resolution. Resolutions are all about becoming
improving yourself, not being perfect. If you’re not able to
save $100 a week, oh well! Knock it down to $75 and
keep trying. That’s still $3,900 saved by the end of the year
and that’s something to be proud of.
9 Don’t give up so easily.
Too often people throw in the towel on resolutions because
of one slip up. So what, you had a moment of weakness and
ate a box of donuts. It happens! If weight loss were that easy,
it wouldn’t be the number one resolution, year after year.
Often, we use small slip-ups as an excuse to give up on big
goals. Forgive yourself, move on and keep trying.
10. Begin again.
If you slip up, don’t wait until tomorrow or Monday to begin
again, start now.

Good luck, and have a
Happy New Year!
DENTON COUNTY Living Well Magazine | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

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