According to the American Psychological Association, weight loss, smoking cessation and increasing exercise are the top three New Year’s resolutions in America.But do New Year’s resolutions really work and change unhealthy behaviors in individuals? Sometimes they do. Those who make resolutions are ten times more likely to successfully change their behavior than those who do not partake in resolutions. Even though that means about 60 percent of people drop their resolutions by the six-month mark, some come back to the resolution in the following years to finally achieve success.
Nurses, are you planning on making a New Year’s resolution this year? If so, here are five tips to increase your chances of success.
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Have a clear objective. Examples of clear objectives are: “Lose weight for my vacation in March” or “Increase my energy level so that I can play more with the kids.
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Make your goal realistic.
“Lose 2-3 pounds every week” or “Eat 5 fruits and vegetables servings a
day” are realistic goals, while “Lose 20 pounds in two weeks” would be
an unrealistic goal.
- Enjoy what you choose to do to meet your goal. If you don’t enjoy the process to reach the goal, chances are that you will quit. For example, choose healthy foods you enjoy and participate in an exercise program that you look forward to, not dread.
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Remove the obstacles and make it convenient.
For example, pack healthful foods in your bag for when you get the
munchies and might be tempted to grab unhealthy foods or a cigarette, or
pack a pair of tennis shoes in your bag for impromptu opportunities to walk.
- Expect setbacks. Make a pact with yourself that if you stray from the plan, you will jump right back into it, and will not get overly discouraged. Remind yourself that it’s more important to stay on the plan “more often than not”, than to stick with the plan 100% perfectly.
Happy 2012, Nurses!
About the Author: Alice Burron is an affiliate spokesperson and highly successful personal trainer for the American Council on Exercise. She earned a master’s in physical education with an emphasis in exercise physiology from the University of Wyoming and is a leading national fitness and wellness program expert.
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