Can't Keep A Resolution? Outside Support
Can Help
(BPT) - Holiday celebrations are a traditional way
to cap off the year, but once the ball drops it's
time to usher in a new beginning with New Year's
resolutions.
Each year, millions of Americans resolve to get in
better shape and become healthier, better
versions of themselves. But, unfortunately the
vast majority don't meet their goals. Less than a
quarter of 1,000 people surveyed by YMCA of the
USA kept their resolution in 2014. An
overwhelming 71 percent said they tried but fell
short, and 40 percent confessed that they made it
through only a couple weeks or months.
However, there's hope for the coming year. Onethird of survey respondents who plan to make a
resolution in 2015 believe they'll stick to it and
reach their goals, with more than half believing
that encouragement from others will keep them
committed. Finding a supportive community can
be beneficial in keeping resolutions on track.
Organizations like your local Y offer a place to
work out as well as opportunities to connect with
others and give back to the community, which can
help foster more commitment to keeping
resolutions.
A positive outlook doesn't always translate to
action unless you set manageable goals and lean
on the support of your health and wellness
communities. Here are some tips to make a
healthy New Year's resolution stick:
Start small. Set attainable resolutions. For
example, if your goal is to exercise more
frequently in the new year, don't schedule seven
days a week at the gym. Start with a reasonable
three days a week. If you'd like to eat healthier, try
replacing desserts with other foods you enjoy,
such as fruit or yogurt.
Take it one step at a time. Making a New Year's
resolution doesn't require you to reassess every
little detail of your life. Replacing unhealthy
behaviors with healthy ones takes time, so don't
become overwhelmed. Work to change one
behavior at a time, and then go from there.
Choose a facility that focuses on a holistic
approach to health. When it comes to adding
healthy behaviors - like working out - to your
7
lifestyle, finding a facility that keeps you motivated
is critical to maintaining your exercise routine.
Before committing to a membership, take a tour of
local gyms to find the best fit for you. Your facility
should not be just a gym, but a community
organization that offers more health, more hope
and more opportunity.
Establish a little friendly competition. More than
half of the Y survey respondents felt a little
"healthy competition" when friends encouraged
them to be even more committed to keeping their
New Year's resolutions. Share your experiences
with support groups - friends, family, fellow
workout class members or close colleagues.
Talking about your struggles and successes will
make your goals more obtainable and less
intimidating.
Set New Year's goals with someone you love. It's
easier to stick to your resolutions if you have a
partner working toward similar goals. More than
three-fourths of survey respondents indicated that
they would set the same resolution for a member
of their immediate family. Team up with a family
member to set your 2015 goals, and establish a
game plan that is dedicated to achieving them.
For more information on goal-setting for the new
year, visit www.ymca.net/healthy-living.
www.urbanteenmagazine.com