It’s that time of year again. Many people across the country will be saying, “New Year, new me!” Something about the new year gives everyone hope for a fresh beginning.
For this blogger, my big goal for the year is to be healthier and lose weight. I always joke that I need to lose the weight of a Backstreet Boy. But in all seriousness, my pants have been begging me to drop some pounds, so the button isn’t crying from the extra weight I’ve been carrying for a while. I can’t blame anything other than my choices over the years for the current weight that I am. I’ll also blame my tastebuds for liking so many foods too. That’s believable, right?
Last Year’s Resolutions
What was my resolution last year? To read more. My goal was to read a book each month. That felt realistic to me, given that I work full time. I’m a single mom and have other responsibilities. I figured it would give me time to read a book and feel accomplished. The reason why I wanted to read more was that I was feeling very inarticulate or that I couldn’t hold a conversation with others about what I’d read. Did I stick to my resolution? Not at all. I started reading a book in January of 2020 and still have yet to finish it. Maybe I can finish it this year? We’ll see.
Why Are New Year’s Resolutions So Hard To Keep?
What is it about resolutions? Most of us make them and break them before January is half done. Why do we bother to make them and don’t keep them? I think we make them with the best of intentions to start over a new year with a clean slate and be a better version of ourselves. And I also think we break those resolutions because habits are hard to break.
In an article published earlier this year on forbes.com, it can take anywhere from two to eight months for a resolution to become a new habit or behavior. That means the person has to really work throughout the year for the resolution to stick and become a new habit. But what are the main reasons why resolutions fail?
The first is that many of us set unrealistic goals. Are you planning on dropping 20 pounds in a month? Or do you think you’ll be able to save $5,000 in a month? Think about what your goals are and how realistic they actually are. I’m not saying don’t dream big and hope for the best, but maybe scaling back your goals a little bit will make them more attainable.
Planning Properly Is Challenging
Another is that many people just don’t plan properly. If you’re planning on losing weight, did you research and plan the kind of meal or dietary plan you think will help you shed those quarantine pounds? Will you work out at home, will you go to the gym, or maybe use the great outdoors to help you lose weight? If you’re looking to save some money this year, how are you doing that? Are you giving up anything so you can save those bucks? Not many people like to plan but trying to plan to the best of your abilities will help set you up for success. On top of that, if your plan doesn’t go the way you thought it would, you can still alter your plan to meet your goals.
Let’s go back a little earlier in this blog. Many resolutions don’t stick because many people don’t make them a habit. It takes time, and we all must be patient with the process. I’ll be the first to admit that the reason my resolutions don’t work out is because, as I noted above, habits are hard to break.
What Are Your Resolutions Plans For 2021?
Have you told anyone about your plans for 2021? Did you receive any support from those you told? If you haven’t received any support from the people in your camp, try to find someone who will. Having a lack of support can take the wind out of anyone’s sails, and you just need to keep your own personal motivation and support yourself. At the same time, you make a positive change in your life.
One final reason that resolutions don’t work out for many people, especially those trying to lose weight, is that they fail to track their goals. It’s frequently recommended for those trying to lose weight to keep a journal of what they eat, including caloric intake, what kind of exercise they did, how long, etc. I’m guilty of not keeping a journal when I lost some weight a while back, and honestly, I’m not sure if I’ll keep a journal this time around either.
What are your resolutions this year? Do you have a plan in mind for what you’re going to do to accomplish your resolutions, or at least get them off to a great start?
Happy New Year From Albuquerque Plumbing Heating & Cooling!
The team with Albuquerque Plumbing Heating & Cooling have resolutions this year, from losing weight to growing their career with the company and being the best version of themselves. It will take hard work and dedication, but we can do it. And so can you!