Happy New Year – A Few Words on Resolutions

Happy New Year to all!
Did you make some resolutions this year?
Are you having trouble sticking to them now that a month has passed?

There is one secret that will help you reach your goals, and it might be easier than you think.

Perhaps you resolved to work out and lose weight this year. Or you decided to spend more time with family and friends. Have you decided this is the year you will quit smoking, drinking, or overspending?

These are great goals – sometimes they might seem too great. Sometimes we make really big goals because we want to make big changes. The secret to sticking with your resolutions is breaking them down into manageable steps.

If you are determined to lose weight this year, that can be overwhelming, which can cause stress, which can cause you to over eat or give up on exercise. Instead let’s consider breaking this resolution down into smaller steps. For example:

Goal: To lose 15 pounds.
Possible Steps:

• Plan to lose about one pound each month – this is a reachable goal.
• Get on track with exercise – plan to work out between one and three times per week for between 20 and 60 minutes. Be specific. If you aren’t sure about how to exercise, joins a gym, ask a friend or hire a trainer.
• Change your Eating – Keep a journal of what you eat for a week, and then take a look at it. Are you eating late at night? Are you making healthy choices? Make some adjustments as needed to include plenty of water, fruits and vegetables. If you need help, consult with a nutritionist.
• Get a friend or co-worker to join your plan so you have someone to be accountable to.
• Make a checklist of healthy living activities (Ate Fruit, Drank Water, Exercised etc.) and put it on your fridge – then you can check it off each day and at the end of the week, reward yourself (bubble bath, massage, lunch out with a friend).

Most of all, be gentle with yourself. No one is perfect and this is a journey. There will be ups and downs. If you make your goals specific, small, obtainable and focused, you will find you are better able to stick with those resolutions for 2011 and for many years to come.

I would love to hear from you! Please write in with any comments or questions about how to keep or maintain new years or any kind of resolution. All information will remain confidential if emailed to AnotherLook@HealingLLC.com. Or for more information, go to www.HealingLLC.com. Thanks for checking in!

Take Good Care,
Amy L. Hooper, LGSW, CEAP
Director, Another Look at Healing, LLC