Heart of New Ulm

Holiday Trimmings
Week 6
New Year's Resolution
 
Another New Year
The New Year is just around the corner, and you may have started to think about the resolutions you plan to make. You may be thinking, "This will be the year that I start making changes on January 1 and actually stick with them past January 15."

 

Or you may be thinking, "What's the point? My New Year's resolutions never work anyway." If so, there's a good reason for thinking that. New Year's resolutions usually require a change in behavior. Changing any behavior - especially health-related behaviors - is difficult, but not impossible. Don't be discouraged by past failures. By participating in the Holiday Trimmings program, you've started on your way to a healthy lifestyle.
 
Make 2010 different: Steps to making resolutions last beyond January 15
This year, you can set realistic and attainable New Year's resolutions. Sticking with a New Year's resolution involves the same steps as setting a goal. It takes thought, careful planning, effort and creating an environment for success.
 
Before January 1, you need to feel empowered and confident that you can achieve your goal. You also need a plan for how you will achieve it. Below is the basic outline of the steps to take to make sure your resolutions last. 
 
 Identify
  • What you want to accomplish.
  • The benefits of accomplishing it.
  • The barriers and triggers that will make it a challenge.
  • The skills you need to accomplish it.
 Plan for success
  • Create a specific plan of action. Be sure to address barriers.
  • Set one or more SMART goals (approximately one every two weeks), with rewards that lead up to your long-term goal.
 Make the change
  • Make changes to your environment.
  • Monitor your progress.
  • Reward yourself when you achieve your goals.