(NC) Many of us make New Year’s resolutions every January. But statistics show that nearly 80% of people who make them will have broken them by February.
If you feel like this is you, don’t fret. Most of us can agree, especially with recent holiday indulgences, that improving personal fitness and nutrition is an intimidating idea. But the secret to getting motivated and keeping the momentum going into the spring is to follow these three simple guidelines: Don’t try too much at once. When we first set resolutions, we’re often inclined to make a goal to spend every day at the gym and eat clean 100% of the time. There is a reason these are too often broken – they are hard to accomplish. Listen to your body and do what feels good for you. Modify your lifestyle to a healthy one that fits your needs and is one you’ll be able to sustain throughout the year.
Keep a positive mindset. If you miss a day, don’t stress about it, you can get back on track tomorrow. Staying positive about your wellness journey will keep you on track to reach your goals and maintain a healthy lifestyle well into the future.
Stick to it. Contrary to popular belief, it takes more than three weeks to form a habit, but don’t let that stop you from trying. The time it takes for you to break a habit may depend on many things. For example, a person who is pregnant may have more motivation to quit smoking than others and will quit faster. Keep yourself motivated to achieving your goal by instigating a personal reward.