Resolutions for the New Year

Every year people are energized with the motivation to make change in their life especially at the start of a new year. New Years resolutions typically come and go without real change. It is not easy to make long lasting change without true commitment and hard work. Here are a few tips to help in achieving attainable goals for the new year:

• Small Steps: Create visions and goals that you can keep. Rather than make a resolution to exercise every day, pin point a few days a week in which you will workout. Instead of overhauling your entire diet, take small steps to replace sugary treats with healthier options, like fruit.

• Take a development approach: Making serious and long-term change is a process. Don't expect miracles overnight. Try replacing one unhealthy behavior at a time.

• Give yourself a break: No matter how hard people try, no one achieves perfection. Don't give up on your resolutions if you make a mistake or have a setback. Move beyond your slip-up and get back on track.

• Don't go at it alone: Discuss your goals with others by finding support to help you achieve your goals.Try forming a group or take a class with others who have common goals. Having a support team is key to a healthy change and allows individuals to overcome obstacles with more ease than doing it solo. Achievement will become less overwhelming. 

• Getting support from a professional: In many instances, people can achieve their goals by getting the support from a health care professional. Having someone in your corner supporting you through the process can be ground breaking. Getting out of the old patterns and conditioned responses is key. Many times by having that assistance in a therapeutic setting you can develop a new narrative to manage issues that once took you for a tail spin.