INSIGHT Magazine January 2015 | Page 6

N ew Year’s resolutions are an annual reminder of the urge to self-improve, a result of human ambition, a craving to constantly grow as people. They’re also kind of a drag. Sure, they’re great in theory; losing weight and quitting smoking are both admirable goals that need attention, but most people don’t manage to keep their resolutions (only 12 percent make it overall, according to a 2007 study in the UK). But there is hope. We chose four of the most common resolutions to focus on and researched tips that can help you pull off your 6 resolutions for 2015, and while they’ll seem obvious as you read them, give them a try and see how much of a difference it makes for reaching your resolution: WEIGHT LOSS Be realistic: Don’t set outrageous goals like “I’ll lose 200 pounds next year.” Definitely don’t leave your goal as amorphous as “I’m going to lose weight,” either. Instead, hit a comfortable middle ground by choosing a number that’s reasonable and achievable for a year-long period. January 2015 INSIGHT