Sticking to a Resolution for Better Health

With the beginning of a New Year comes the time for looking back at ourselves from the past year. This allows us to see areas that we excelled in and others that could use some work. Thus, we create a New Year’s resolution in the aspect of our life that we’d like to see improvement in.

Many people have a similar resolution every time the New Year rolls around – to improve their health and become fit. The problem with this general goal and the reason why so many people fail it is that it isn’t specific enough and it can’t easily be measured. Without a specific and measurable goal, you’ll never truly know if you’re sticking to your resolution. Here’s how you can set a healthy resolution, stick to it, and see the improvements!

Be Specific

When it comes to setting your goal, the more specific you can make it, the better. Rather than putting it over one general statement of “getting fit”, specify exactly how you plan on getting fit. Some examples for specific goals for getting fit include:

• Do more running
• Go swimming more often
• Lift weights
• Eat healthier meals

Make it Measurable

Now that you’ve broken your resolution down into specific goals, go even further and make the goals measurable. As it stands right now, the goals listed above aren’t measurable. While the goal to “do more running” is a specific way to get fit, it now needs to be made measurable by including how much more running you plan to do. For example, here are the above goals made measurable:

• Do more running by jogging for 0.5 kilometers every other morning
• Go swimming more often by doing 10 laps of the pool 3 times a week
• Lift weights by going to the gym 2 times a week and doing 10lbs. bicep curls for 3 sets of 10, 60lbs. bench press for 3 sets of 10, etc.
• Eat healthier meals by limiting fast food consumption to once per month

These goals all have a measurable aspect to them so that their progress can easily be tracked. This will hold you more accountable than a general statement since specific, measurable goals make it black or white as to whether or not you are meeting them. Now try setting your own specific and measurable goals for your health that you can strive to achieve this year!