Wellness Tips for Attainable New Year’s Resolutions

Most people set new year’s resolutions, with the majority of people pledging to get in shape, learn a new skill, or achieve some other large life goal. However, the vast majority of people do not accomplish their new year’s resolutions or even come close. People fail to accomplish their resolutions for various reasons, but one of the most common is that the goal was not realistic or attainable to begin with. Aiming for the moon is always great, but expecting to reach an unattainable goal only sets yourself up for failure and disappointment that you couldn’t do what you said you would. That is not to say new year’s resolutions are pointless since they tend to fail anyway; the trick is setting resolutions you can actually achieve. Don’t focus on the shock value or ambition of your near year’s resolution, but instead focus on attainable goals that will put you on the path towards achieving your loftier goals. Here are just a few suggestions for creating reasonable and attainable new year’s resolutions so you can achieve your goals while living a balanced life.

Measurable Goals

One of the most common new year’s resolutions is to get in shape. Millions of people commit to gym contracts or buy gear to “get in shape” this year. While aiming to get in shape is a good goal, it is far too vague to be of much use or guidance. Being in shape means something different to every person, and your personal definition can change over the course of a year. Instead of giving yourself a general idea to work towards, set specific and measurable goals you can track. Saying you want to be in shape by the end of the year doesn’t help you budget time or make a plan to hit that goal. A better goal would be to lose 20 pounds this year. Having a specific target at the end lets you count backward to determine how best to spend your time to accomplish that goal. This rule holds true for any resolution; the more specific you make it, the easier it will be to realize whether this goal is possible or not. If you realize your idea of getting in shape would have been to lose 60+ pounds, now you have time to adjust your goals to something actually attainable.

Don’t Ignore Issues

When a new year rolls over, everyone wants to focus on the positives in the future, but too many people forget to fix their issues from last year first. If you were dealing with health issues last year, tackle those issues before setting new goals on top of your continuing maladies. You and your body can only handle so much at once, so do not neglect existing issues in favor of something more fun or exciting.

If you have been feeling generally unwell, it may be time to research and talk to a doctor to learn more. There are some common maladies you can start with, so go here to learn more about yeast overgrowth and other issues you could be dealing with but not know about. No matter what you are dealing with, there is no reason to ignore your body’s messages. Listen to what your body is telling you, and don’t skip fixing those issues simply because they are not the most fun option.

Healthy Fuel For The Journey

Regardless of what your new year’s resolution is, you will need fuel to make it to the end of the year while accomplishing everything you want. Food is our body’s fuel, but not all food is equally great at being fuel. Processed foods and added sugar are two of the worst fuels for our bodies, with natural and organic foods being much better for our bodies. It is not just that processed foods and extra sugar make you gain weight, but our digestive systems were not designed to break down those foods, so our body struggles. However, our digestive system was built to break down natural foods like fruits, vegetables, and meats.

You don’t have to cut out unhealthy foods from your diet all at once, as it can be a slow process. Start by switching out one unhealthy food for a better option once a week. As the habit of eating healthy builds, switching foods will be less of a big deal, and you will slowly migrate to a healthy diet. Swap soda for water one week, and then swap your bread for a whole grain option. There are plenty of different methods to ease yourself into a healthy diet, so try a few different methods to see what works best for you. No matter how you get there, your body will thank you for the healthier fuel, and you will feel better overall.

The new year is a time of opportunities and possibilities. Set a goal to better yourself this year, but make sure your goal is realistic and attainable. Before you take on new goals, make sure your body and well being is in order. Don’t add more to your plate when you already have existing issues. Consider switching to a healthier diet to give your body better fuel to make it to the next new year.