Momentum Magazine January 2018 Edition | Page 9

Stick To Your Resolutions! Courtesy of Meghan Carnevale The Greater Scranton YMCA Along with singing “Auld Lang Syne” at the start of the New Year, making resolutions is a tradition for millions of Americans. However, while choosing a resolution can be easy, sticking to it can be impossible. A 2014 YMCA survey found that fewer than a quarter of respondents kept their resolutions. Many (71 percent) tried, but stated that they fell short of their goals, while 40 percent confessed that gave up within the fi rst few months, even weeks, of the New Year! JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF NEPA “Our goal for 2018 is to continue to enhance our programs and services that we off er by adding a second annual fundraising event and upgrading our web site as well as improving our social media presence!” This year, the Greater Scranton & Wilkes-Barre Family YMCAs are encouraging community members to give their New Year’s resolutions a boost by creating smaller, more manageable goals that can lead to success of a larger one. Reframing your goals in a positive way can help you stick to them. It’s important to not let yourself get discouraged by setbacks. Even though you may experience some missteps throughout the day—or even the week—that doesn’t mean you have to give up. Here are some tips to help your resolutions stick: 1. Start small. Break those big resolutions into small, achievable goals. Instead of cutting chocolate out of your diet for good, vow to only have it a few times a week. Or trade your two sodas a day for one soda and a glass of water. WAYNE BANK “In an ongoing eff ort to improve customer service and enhance our customer experience, we are very excited about the relocation of two of our Community offi ces: Clarks Summit and Roscoe, New York. We're so pleased to be able to undertake and complete these relocation initiatives that off er such wonderful improvements for our customers.” 2. Take it one step at a time. Trying to change too many habits at once can easily lead to frustration. Instead of a New Year’s resolution, make a new month resolution. Focus on that one change for the month, and add another (small) change when the new month rolls around. 3. Choose a facility that focuses on a holistic approach to health. When it comes to adding healthy behaviors, like increasing physical activity, it’s important to fi nd a facility that keeps you motivated. Before committing to a membership, take a tour of local gyms to fi nd the best fi t for you. 4. Talk it out. It’s easier to stick to your resolutions if you have a partner or friend working toward similar goals. Team up with someone to set your 2018 goals and help each other establish a game plan dedicated to achieving them. Set specifi c check-ins to help each other out of slumps and to cheer each other during the high points. www.scrantonchamber.com • 9 *In