Enjoy a Healthier You

Posted January 4, 2011

What are your hopes and expectations for improving your health in the new year? Have you set any New Year’s resolutions to achieve your goals?

A common health resolution for Americans is to lose weight, but there are many others:

• start a fitness program or be more faithful in following an established exercise plan
• get seven to eight hours of sleep each night
• eat more nutritious meals and cut back on take-out foods
• quit smoking
• reduce and manage stress
• control anger

According to national experts, more than 59 percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions.

While most individuals start with great aspirations, many resolutions are abandoned within a month. For success in reaching your goals in 2011, consider these seven suggestions:

1. Set realistic goals—identify mini goals to help you gradually achieve your ultimate goal and make sure the timeline for reaching the resolution is practical
2. Make simple resolutions – select two or three things to work on and celebrate when they are accomplished; then set new resolutions to work on during the rest of the year
3. Identify resolutions with controllable outcomes – before making a resolution, evaluate if you can control all of the factors involved; set goals for habits and responses you can manage
4. Be accountable for the resolution results – share your resolutions with friends and family so they can encourage you in reaching your goal; find a friend with similar resolutions and motivate each other toward the successful achievement of your goals
5. Take advantage of supportive programs – many employers offer wellness programs to encourage employees to pursue healthy lifestyles; take advantage of these opportunities to improve your health
6. Monitor and celebrate your progress – record each mini goal achieved toward your resolution; ticking off small accomplishments will help keep you motivated to reach the final goal
7. Be persistent – it takes 21 days of consistent practice for a new habit to take root; don’t give up if you fail one day, just start over again