Making Resolutions (and Diets) More Attainable

“Anyone can give up, it’s the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that’s true strength.”

In honor of the New Year, I thought I’d see how everyone was keeping up on their resolutions! Each year, you can find that almost everyone adds to their list of resolutions something that has to do with health, weight or being happier. The idea of making these resolutions is very admirable, but the actual execution is usually a lot harder to attain and keep than actually making the goals themselves. Why is it that we work so hard the first couple of months and then just let our old routine sneak back up on us? Before we know it, we’re back at square one. What is that extra push that we need to complete these tasks?

A short article describes how creating New Year’s resolutions is a form of “cultural procrastination”, and I agree. We wait for a good reason to actually start changing a habit that has been negatively affecting us (because obviously the actual habit wasn’t reason enough). So we allow ourselves to keep the habit until, hm, the New Year! And although statistics prove that following through with each New Year’s resolution normally doesn’t work out, we still attempt them over and over with an incoherent faith that this time, it will be different. One reason for these failed endeavors, according to the article, is that the goals made are too broad and a year is usually too much time to give yourself. If you set more detailed goals within a stricter time line (e.g. monthly), you will be able to reach checkpoints that will eventually bring you to your desired result. Most people make their goals with expectations that are too high, don’t see results, and end up regressing to their former state. Why? Because it’s easier than changing your lifestyle, and the old routine is just too comfortable. But, is it?

Just like starting a new diet, with resolutions we begin cut-throat and with an unstoppable ambition to be better. However, after the first couple weeks of starting your new healthy routine, you let yourself slip and eat an entire box of cookies, that TV show about insects you really need to watch happens to be on during the time you’re suppose to be at the gym, and so on–you know how those excuses go. To avoid burnout from extreme lifestyle changes, creating smaller and more feasible objectives is a much better way to initiate your plan. For instance, instead of avoiding all fats and sugars in your new, hard-core diet, you should allow yourself sweets and goodies in moderation. I mean, who can resist a piece of cake every now and then anyway? This blog is about delicious food, cooking and eating and I absolutely can’t (and won’t) tell you not to eat anything that might be a little too sweet for a diet! But if you’ve made a goal (any goal!) this year, I encourage you to work hard towards it–because I guarantee the feeling and sense of accomplishment after reaching it is a feeling unlike anything else. Don’t forget, this blog is also about living a happy and healthy lifestyle!

So, take a look at those goals that you set for 2011 and refine them. Whether it’s a new exercise/diet routine, being more productive, saving money, learning a new language or keeping up with a new blog, don’t give up and settle for last year’s standards. Instead, narrow down each goal by month and write down what you would like to see at the end of that month. This will keep you on track, and each month you can see what you need to adjust to make your end result reachable. It’s ok to modify your goals, just don’t give up entirely on them.

So let’s be different this time and not just say we’re going to do it, let’s actually do it! Who’s with me? My resolutions are: post to this blog at least 3 times a week, exercise at least 3 times a week, and spend more time with family and friends. I will also remind myself to assess my progress each month to see how I am keeping up with everything!

What are your goals for this month/year?