5 Steps to Fulfill Your New Year’s Resolutions

2020 has been a difficult year for most. The latest coronavirus outbreak exposed the diseased state of our society. Unfortunately, most Americans are overweight and have health conditions (obesity, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, pulmonary disorders, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc.), which overwhelm their immune system and their ability to efficiently fight off pathogens, bacterial infections, and viruses. The virus brought in health challenges and even death for many of these populations.

Simultaneously, lockdowns were instituted due to the virus. These draconian measurements increased adverse mental health and behavioral conditions, such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, suicidality, child abuse, and domestic violence. In turn, the economy was plunged into a downward spiral. The fact that this year is coming to an end kinda feels like a good thing.

The beginning of 2021 seems like the perfect time to start with a clean slate. The new year, also, brings the well-known New Year’s Resolutions, which are still somewhat prevalent. According to research, almost fifty percent of Americans make New Year’s Resolutions, and not surprisingly, one of the top resolutions for most is to “Lose Weight.”  This is great!  It’s exciting to know that most people’s ideal is to be in shape and better health.

However, did you know that the life expectancy of most people’s resolutions is about a month? By the end of January, 1 in 3 people have already ditched their resolution, and only 8% of those resolutioners achieve their goal, according to research published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology. Sadly, most people get caught up in the same cycle year after year!

Can’t Stick to those New Year’s Resolutions?

There are many reasons why these yearly goals are hard to achieve. Here is why ⤵️

• For one, the resolutions themselves are extremely vague. For instance, people want to “lose weight,” which is not precise or trackable.
• Most times, the resolution is not tied to something meaningful, to something that can evoke transformation, that makes a difference. Just wanting to lose weight seems too superficial and insignificant in the big scope of things.
• Another factor is that wanting some kind of shift doesn’t necessarily mean that you are ready to implement it. You must set the background stage for the accomplishment of your goal.
• Many people keep a negative mind, which rarely brings positive outcomes. If you want change to take place but keep telling yourself that you “can’t do” it or it’s “impossible,” achieving results will be extremely difficult.
• Repeating the same old behaviors that brought you to your current state, it’s not going to bring different outcomes. Let’s say you want to lose body fat; the likelihood of losing weight is low if you keep engaging in the same old unhealthy habits that helped accumulate those extra pounds.
• Most importantly, most resolutions don’t materialize if they are not backed up by a plan of action. Nothing happens unless you make it happen. Successful resolutions involve specific steps or subgoals.

Steps to Accomplishing Your New Year’s Resolutions:

1. Make your resolutions concrete and measurable. Instead of wanting to “lose weight,” plan to “lose 10 lbs in the next 3 months”.
2. Connect your goal to something significant in your life, something that makes an impact. For instance, plan to lose 20 lbs in order to avoid being out of breath when playing with your kids or having painful joints.
3. The belief of a positive outcome is necessary. Start changing the thoughts related to your goal. Feed the mind materials that lift, motivate, and help mobilize you towards your ideal.
4. Surround yourself (physically or remotely) with go-getters, people who are positive, that inspire you and even empower you. Spend time with people who have similar goals and, if possible, get an accountability buddy. If you do not know the specifics of how to achieve your goal, hire a coach to guide your path.
5. Successful resolutions require a plan of action involving specific steps to achieve them. It’s useful to concentrate on your strengths and get help when dealing with your weaknesses. Build a plan with specific targets and schedules. Check out 28 Days to a New Life for a 4-week holistic program to get lean, healthier, and full of energy.

 It’s the beginning of a new year but you do NOT have to wait for each new year to make changes.   If you are not happy with your current state, start implementing changes right away.   The time is NOW!