Off Your Resolution Track Already? Small, life-changing goals you can accomplish.
If you’re like many Americans, the new year means making a fresh start and setting positive health goals. You might be feeling motivated to eat better, exercise more, quit smoking, or engage in other healthy behaviors. Since part of staying healthy is being prepared for sickness, MD Now is open with convenient hours to be the healthcare provider that Florida residents can count on.
Of course, changing your lifestyle is not easy—many people start with the best of intentions only to fall off track by February. In fact, New Year’s resolution statistics show that only 8 percent of people are successful over the long term.
Changing your lifestyle is a long-term process that requires constant commitment and support. When you’re ready to make a change, do your research ahead of time and develop a plan that ensures your success. Here’s some advice from MD Now about how to keep New Year’s resolutions and change your life for the better.
Write Down a Realistic Plan
New Year’s resolution statistics reveal that almost 80 percent of Americans will fail at their goals by February. So, how can you prevent this from happening to you? Start with devising a plan. Be specific when determining your healthy New Year’s resolutions—instead of saying, “I want to exercise more often,” try “I want to be able to jog one mile.” Write down each resolution, and place the plan in a place where you’ll see it often. Share your New Year’s resolutions with friends and family to make yourself accountable.
Start with Small Steps
Once you’ve identified realistic long- and short-term goals, it’s time to break them down into manageable steps. For example, if you’d like to lose 15 pounds, break the goal down into one pound per week. If your health goals involve eating more fruits and veggies, plan to eat one serving of each at every meal. By making healthier choices along the way, these small changes add up, and before you know it, you’ll reach a long-term goal.
Enlist the Help of a Friend
The journey to better health can be difficult, and those who have the support of others are more likely to be successful. Finding a diet or workout buddy is a great way to build friendships while working toward a goal. Whether it’s a co-worker, friend, or family member, find someone who can hold you accountable to your healthy New Year’s resolutions.
Change One Thing at a Time
Many people have multiple health goals, which can lead to burnout over time. Remember, it took time to develop unhealthy behaviors, and it will take time to improve them. Focusing on one specific goal at a time will increase the chances of success. In fact, New Year’s resolution statistics show that those who are specific in setting goals are 10 times more likely to succeed. As one behavior becomes a habit, you can add other goals that work toward the overall resolution.
Focus on the Positive
When learning how to keep New Year’s resolutions, it’s important to maintain a good attitude. Sometimes, this is as simple as using more positive language to describe your healthy New Year’s resolutions. For example, instead of saying, “I want to drink less caffeine,” you could say, “I want to have one cup of green tea per day.” The goal is to focus on something positive that you do want as opposed to something negative that you don’t want. You’ll feel less restricted, which can make sticking to a goal easier.
Practice Kindness
No goal was achieved without failures and missteps along the way. When these bumps in the road occur, remember to be kind to yourself. Ignore the inner voice that says your goal is impossible to achieve. However, it’s important to make sure your goals are truly attainable over the long term. Sometimes, straying from your goals means that you may need to adjust or reassess your plans. Failure can be a tremendous learning tool if you’re willing to embrace it.
Get Started Today
If you wait until you feel motivated, you may never take the first step in achieving your goal. Instead of waiting for the right time, start today. Even if it seems too overwhelming, progress can be made with smaller goals. For example, if you want to start an exercise program and just can’t seem to get going, try taking a five-minute walk. You may find that you’ll feel like walking for a few more minutes once you get going.
Sticking with New Year’s resolutions can be challenging, but it is possible with dedication and these simple tips from MD Now on how to keep New Year’s resolutions. Make 2018 your best year yet—create a game plan today and resolve to succeed.
To learn more about our urgent care centers, call 888-MDNow-911 or visit www.MDNow.com.
MD Now® Urgent Care Walk-In Medical Centers is the leading provider of fast and affordable urgent care to adults and children in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. Our state-of-the-art, walk-in medical centers are open with convenient hours to deliver an affordable and convenient alternative to long emergency room wait times and the limited hours of family physicians. No appointment is necessary and major insurance plans are accepted. In addition to providing a comprehensive range of urgent care services to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries, our multiple locations offer digital x-rays, EKG, lab testing, physicals, immunizations, vaccines, occupational medicine, travel medicine and selected primary care services. Find the medical care you need with the convenience you want at MD Now. Call: 888-MDNow-911, online: www.MDNow.com.