The fresh start of a new year inspires lots of people to make New Year’s resolutions. Some of the most popular resolutions include losing weight/exercising more, saving money/managing debt, and stress reduction. What’s on your resolution list?
According to the IHRSA (International Health, Racquet, and Sports Club Association), January is the biggest month for new gym memberships — New Year’s is a huge boost for the exercise industry. But as many as forty percent of those new signups stop going within the first three months. (Some experts say the number is even higher than forty percent!)
We make these big, hopeful, healthy New Year’s resolutions… and then give up. Why? Maybe they’re too big to manage. Maybe we lose interest or motivation. Maybe other life stuff gets in the way.
Here are some tips to help you stick to those resolutions for 2009:
- Make sure you REALLY want to make the change. Don’t just do it because someone else says you should. If you don’t really want to do it, you’re not going to stick with it. I really want to exercise more this year. I’m tired of feeling weak — especially in my upper body. My arms are total noodles!
- Make a realistic plan to reach your goals. In order to keep my housecleaning goal for 2009, I’m going to make a monthly chore list to hang up. That way, I’ve got a visual reminder of my plans and a way to measure my progress.
- Make your plans public. If you’re accountable to someone else for your work, you might be more likely to stick with it. Better yet, find someone with similar resolutions and buddy up. One of my new roommates is interested in going to the gym too — I’m far more likely to go with a friend than go alone.
- Be ready for setbacks along the way. Nobody’s perfect. Forgive yourself and get back on track as soon as you can. You can plan ahead for how you’ll deal with setbacks — so you won’t be surprised if it happens.
- Measure your progress. It will give you something to look back at and be proud of. Even if each day’s effort doesn’t feel like much, it adds up to a big change.
- Reward your success. This one is KEY for me personally. Celebrate the good stuff you’ve done. Rewards are a great motivation to keep going.