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Preparing For Health In 2010
You really mean it in 2010 you’re going to change! With a little thought as you create your resolutions and the proper support system in place, even the hardest goals can become a regular part of your new, healthy lifestyle.
Keep it simple We set ourselves up for failure when taking on more tasks than we can reasonably accomplish. To accomplish actual change, prioritize one or two goals and fully commit.
Steps to success People become disheartened and give up when they don’t see progress. Often this is not because they have made no progress, but rather because they set their goal so high that they don’t recognize the process it takes to get there.
Stay encouraged by breaking resolutions into smaller steps with mini-goals. If your resolution is to lose weight, determine what your goal is and how long it will take to reasonably get there. Re-write your resolution in ways that success is clear as it happens, by saying “Lose five pounds by February 1st. Lose 15 by March 1st.”
No repeats If you’ve failed to keep the same resolution you’ve made every year, chances are you won’t keep it this time. Are you resolving to do something you feel you should, but don’t really want to do. Evaluate your past resolutions and determine how you might change them to be more realistic.
Accomplishments build upon themselves Acknowledge the pro-gress you’ve made by creating a reward system that positively reinforces your efforts. Never punish yourself if you don’t meet the goal. Schedule a massage for February 2nd when you’ve confirmed your weight loss mini-goal. Simply cancel the reward and reschedule for the following month if you do not reach it.
Accept support The point of resolutions is to make a change that will benefit your life, not to prove how proud you are. Don’t make life more difficult by insisting on doing it all on your own. If your goal is regular exercise, schedule with a personal trainer to create a routine that suits your needs. If your goal is to keep a budget, see a financial planner for a new perspective on how to maximize your spending.
Consider these steps to success as you ponder your goals this month and create the change you want!
