TIPS TO KEEP YOUR NY RESOLUTION GOING IN 2023

The new year is in full swing which means it’s time to check in on our goals. Are we still going strong? Have we eased back on our commitment? Or have we completely fallen off the wagon?

Unfortunately, if you’re in the majority, you’ve likely already completely abandoned your New Years’ resolution. In fact, 36% of those who have make resolutions quite by the end of the first month; that statistic only rises by the week…

If you’re still going strong, congratulations! However, your job’s not done. If you’re eager to continue on your journey towards a better you and finish what you started, this article is for you.

In what follows, we’ll be discussing the top tips for staying on track with your New Years’ resolutions so that you can ultimately succeed on your quest. The best part? No matter your goal, whether fat loss, relationships, or otherwise, the following tips apply!

Below are the top tips to keep your New Year resolution going in 2022:
• Set S.M.A.R.T Goals
• Journal Your Way to Success
•Surround Yourself With Likeminded People
• Take a Pause
​ • Read to the End for a Bonus!

Set S.M.A.R.T Goals
The acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.

Too often, people set broad goals like “I want to lose weight”, or “I want to get stronger”. While these are both honourable desires, they aren’t properly defined. In other words, they don’t provide you with a roadmap to success.

Even worse, some set extreme goals that are so lofty and unachievable that it’s likely to result in burnout, failure, and disappointment.

By getting specific, measured, and calculated with your goals, by choosing goals that are both achievable, challenging, and in line with what you truly want to accomplish, and by putting a timeframe on when you will have achieved it, you inevitably set yourself up for success.
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To illustrate what a S.M.A.R.T goal looks like, instead of simply stating that you want to lose weight, a great example of a SMART goal would be: “I want to lose 15 pounds by April 1st, 2023”. Not only does it clearly define the desired result but it also places a definitive date of achievement.

Journal Your Way to Success

Often misunderstood to be a diary of sorts, journaling can be an extremely effective tool for achieving your goals if employed correctly. While there are several angles that you can take, it’s recommended to use journaling in the following manner.

First, use it to check in with yourself. It’s typical to find ourselves enthralled with our goal so much that we forget to take a step back and see how we’re feeling. Whether via a prompt or the cold approach, assess your mood, praise yourself for all that you’ve accomplished thus far, and note the things you can change moving forward.

Second, use it as a means of accountability. While there are several apps available to do the same, there’s something about putting pen to paper that makes it that much more personal and powerful.

Finally, vent! It’s not uncommon that we’re met with stress and overwhelm in the pursuit of a lofty but meaningful goal. By paying a visit to your journal on a regular basis, you give yourself a safe space to vent, brain dump, and ultimately uncover what’s ultimately been causing you such stress. Consider it your own personal therapy session.

Journaling is a great tool for achieving your goals, whether it be to hold yourself accountable, pat yourself on the back, or unload all that is holding you back mentally. In moments of weakness, resort back to your journal for inspiration and motivation.

​Surround Yourself with Like-Minded People

While it can feel empowering to tackle goals on your own, it’s always encouraged to do so with a valid support system. Not only does a support system motivate you throughout the process, encouraging you when times get tough, but they also hold you accountable during times of mental fatigue and moments of weakness.

Whether it’s joining an exercise class, reaching out to friends, or confiding in family, finding a community upon which you can rely is crucial for continuing with your New Years’ resolutions.

Oftentimes, a solid support system can be the difference-maker between persisting forward or throwing in the towel on your goals. After all, we’re all human, unable to be 100% self-reliant, resilient, and disciplined 100% of the time. A good support system will fill the gaps!
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Finally, while family and friends can be great support systems, they may not always have the same interests as you. If your goals are fitness-related, joining an exercise class, even just for the community aspect, is highly recommended!

Take a Pause
While it may seem counterintuitive, taking a step back every so often can be the breath of fresh air you need to continue on your pursuit. Even more, it can be used as a tactic or strategy in moments of weakness.

Take weight loss, for example. There’s no doubt that you’ll encounter moments of temptation, craving, and jealousy. If you’re not careful, you might just cave and reach for that cookie you’ve been avoiding successfully for so long.

By mindfully taking a pause, however, you just might save yourself from making a decision that has the potential of setting you back tremendously on your goals.

Another popular approach that involves taking a “pause” is a process known as “riding the wave”. The wave can be thought of as the emotional rollercoaster of racing thoughts during times of weakness. Riding it can be thought of as taking that pause. By allowing for this intermission, if you will, you give yourself a fighting chance of successfully riding the wave of temptation.  

If you’ve successfully employed this strategy before, give yourself a pat on the back! The good news? The more you ride the wave, the easier it gets.


A Final Word of Advice
While all of these strategies are proven effective no matter the goal or resolution, they’re doubly effective when it comes to weight loss. Coincidently, weight loss goals are the most common resolution made each new year!

With that said, if you’re on a weight loss journey, this section is for you…Before we conclude, the following are some bonus tips to employ that will help you continue on your weight loss journey in 2023.

For starters, we all know how timely cooking can be; it’s often why many resort to fast food! While this may be a tempting strategy, don’t fall victim to it! Instead, begin meal prepping. Not only does it take decision-making out of the equation but it saves you time, money, and a whole lot of poundage otherwise gained for poor dietary decisions.

Next, protein is your friend! While you may have had a past judgement on protein, considering it exclusive to the bodybuilders and elite athletes of the bunch, protein happens to be the
building block of life. While the benefits of protein are plenty, as far as weight loss, it acts as an incredible satiety agent. In other words, it reduces hunger and keeps you full for longer…

Finally, although we mentioned journaling earlier, there are several apps available for weight-loss specific goals that can help track calories, nutrition choices, activity levels, and more.
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2023 can be your year if you allow it to be. That decision, however, is ultimately yours to make. Good luck! X