It’s A New Year!

“What are your New Year resolutions?” “How are you going to change in the new year?” “What habits are you going to break this year?” I’m sure you have been asked this every single year since you can remember. You may even be the one asking yourself these questions. Unfortunately 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February and yes, I have contributed to this statistic in the past. I want to tell you how you can stick to those resolutions and achieve your goals this year.

            I always hear people say things like, “I’m going to lose 20 pounds by summer!” or “I’m going to go to the gym every day and eat healthy.” Yes, these aspirations are amazing and motivating but if you are setting big goals like this it is important to set smaller ones in the beginning. Most people give up because they set such high goals and it is not realistic. What has always helped me in the past is taking it slow, setting small goals and creating new habits throughout the week that will lead to my ultimate goal.

            For example, say someone wants to lose weight, go to the gym everyday and eat healthy. Let’s start small. Tell yourself you will workout at least three times a week in the beginning and you will not order takeout during the weekdays. Putting too much pressure on ourselves too quickly leads to stress, disappointment and ultimately, failure. Once you have gotten into a healthy habit of working out three times a week and you have started cooking more instead of ordering out, enhance those goals. Aim to go to the gym four or five days a week and begin meal prepping on the weekends. Since you have started with these small habits and stuck to them, you have trained your brain to associate those habits with a reward of feeling better, losing weight and overall being more happy and healthy. It will only get easier from here.

            I also want to talk about not being too hard on yourself. It is not easy to change or stick to your resolutions so if you fail here and there, give yourself a break. Take a day to reflect on what is going on in your life that is causing you to veer off track and make a plan. Maybe your hours at work have increased or you’re just so tired after a long day of work that you cave and order a pizza for dinner. These things may happen but that is when you have to sit down and think about what you can change to get back on track. Go to the gym before work or if it is nice outside, wake up early and go for a nice walk before you have to get ready for work. Whatever little changes you can make to get back on track, promise yourself you will do it. Start going grocery shopping on Sundays and have meals prepared and ready to go for lunch and dinner.

            I want to be clear that it will not be easy. You’re going to have bad days, you’re going to feel tired and maybe even like you want to give up but remember how great you will feel once you get it done. Being happy and healthy will always be worth the struggle of getting there. Think about some of your resolutions and make a plan of how you will succeed. Think about it, write it down, share it with family or friends to hold yourself accountable; whatever works best for you!  Never hesitate to reach out to us if you need help, advice, tips or just some motivation! We’ll do anything to help if it means we are pushing you to be better.

Instagram: hellowellnessjourney

FB/FB group: Hello Wellness Journey

Youtube: HelloWellnessJourney1

TikTok: hellowellnessjourney

Pinterest: Hello Wellness Journey