Resolutions?  Do you have yours?  It’s that time of year again where we have an entire month filled with plenty of partying, late nights, food and alcohol.  So at the end there is no wonder we like to set a resolution (or resolutions) to better ourselves.

Whether it is lose weight, eat clean, not drink alcohol etc.  It’s a resolution we try so hard to stick to.  In some cases people decide on their resolution and end up sticking to it for a week or even a few days, in other cases it changes some people’s entire year and becomes a new lifestyle.

To stop your resolution from just being something you said you were going to do but didn’t (just like last year) you need to be prepared.

• Think of your resolution (or goal) prior to New Years Eve. Don’t leave it till last minute as you will not be prepared.
• Set yourself smaller goals relating to the resolution.  Each goal must have a deadline and must be specific (eg. Measurements, kgs, distances).
• Failing to plan is planning to fail.  Make sure you have the correct sources to reach your goal (eg. For a weight loss goal you would need lots of clean healthy food, trainers etc).
• Throw out the bad.  Get rid of whatever it is that caused you to make the resolution (eg. Alcohol, chocolate).
• Tell someone close to you as then you are more accountable and they can help you when the going gets tough.

So then when the first of January comes around, you are prepared.  Make sure that you limit yourself to a treat every so often.  Plan the treat and only have it if you have done everything you said you were going to do.  If we are completely strict for so long we are more likely to crash and in most cases crash hard.  You are only human and we all do things we enjoy, it’s how we enjoy life.

Keep focused on your resolution by having back up strategies that to help you when you feel like quitting.  Such as, if it’s a weight loss goal, put a photo of yourself up at the beginning along with what you want to look like.

Your resolution may seem easy to start then it could be that you hit a wall.  At this wall you need to remember how far you have come and how much you want this.  Year after year people make the same resolutions as they cannot stick to them.  Make your resolution a lifestyle change and be the person you want to be.

So make the most of next year, live life to the fullest, don’t sweat the small stuff and be the best version of you.

~Beth Connelly~