It’s the same story every year—we make New Year’s resolutions on Jan. 1, keep them for a bit, then forget about them as work and family activities return to full pitch after the holidays. No one seems to have a magic formula for making them stick.
In fact, some studies suggest that 80 percent of Americans don’t keep the New Year’s resolutions they make, especially when it comes to their health. Our love of food and relaxation is a formidable opponent, but it can be vanquished for the sake of self-improvement, experts say.
The main point is, don’t despair; there are plenty of actions you can take to stay strong and up the odds of following through on your convictions in the year ahead. Experts advise harnessing will power in positive, creative ways to help yourself visualize results and keep your motivation fresh as the months go by.
Here are some of Americans’ most common New Year’s resolutions … and a few tips for making them a long-term reality.
36% resolve to stay fit and healthy
tips for success:
- Eat fresh, natural, minimally processed foods.
- Download a smartphone app to track your calorie intake and exercise.
32% resolve to lose weight
tips for success:
- Select food products with reduced sugar, sodium, cholesterol, trans- and saturated fats.
- Choose healthful foods over fad diets.
29% resolve to spend less & save more
tips for success:
- Get discounts by bundling insurance policies with one carrier.
- Switch to a family cell phone plan instead of individual ones.
- Don’t be afraid to try bargaining on large purchases.
27% resolve to enjoy life to the fullest
tips for success:
- Release your need to attain perfection at home or work.
- Set more realistic personal goals in the form of daily tasks in smaller, more achievable increments.
20% resolve to spend more time with family
tips for success:
- Create a list of personal priorities and remove less important activities from your schedule.
- Consider other career directions that allow more personal time and flexibility.
Many people also enjoy using social media to keep their New Year’s priorities top of mind. Some examples:
- If you need help coming up with healthful meals, post recipes and cooking videos to your social media pages so you’ll remember them. Share with foodie friends, and ask for their tips and suggestions.
- If quotes from motivational speakers or fitness experts are inspirational for you, share them with like-minded friends on Pinterest or Facebook.
- If having an exercise buddy helps you stick to a fitness plan, create a page where the two of you can share pictures, plan workouts and update each other on your efforts. Make it funny and clever so you’ll enjoy the experience and be motivated to post!
Sources: Nielsen Co. 2016 survey data; Forbes.com
