January 23, 2020
New year, new you? It’s an old adage and one that we frequently buy into. Nearly half of all Americans set New Year’s resolutions. Unfortunately, only about 40% of those will be sticking with their new commitments 6 months down the road and even fewer make it for the long haul. It’s an unfortunate reality that most resolutions fail, considering the many positive changes they could produce if they were seen through. After all, the most common resolutions tend to be those that focus on improving health. Exercising more, eating healthier and losing weight are all near the top of the list each year. If you have positive health goals for the new year, don’t let statistics discourage you. Use these tips to keep your new habits going strong.
Rarely do we have one single thing we’d like to improve about ourselves. Whether it’s weight, diet, or unhealthy habits like smoking, there are typically multiple areas we’d like to change. Still, when it comes to tackling these changes, it’s best to take a slow and steady approach. Attempting to change too many things at once can quickly result in burnout and stopping all together. When all our energy is directed towards a single task, we are far more likely to succeed. Fortunately, particularly in the case of healthy resolutions, committing to one often leads naturally to another. Eating healthier, for instance, will typically result in weight loss and higher energy levels which can lead to a more active lifestyle.
We are more likely to reach our goals when we have others to help keep us accountable. This can benefit our resolution success when we let family and friends know what we’re trying to accomplish. In addition, similar benefits can be found when we connect with groups of likeminded people. This can mean joining a new workout class or a support group for goals like smoking cessation.
We all stumble. It’s part of the human experience. However, the defining factor is what happens after the stumble. Many resolutions fall apart after minor setbacks. We break our diet or have a cigarette and decide we have failed entirely, but this doesn’t have to be the case. It’s important to realize from the beginning that we are bound to waiver in our goals. It is also important to realize that our goals are still worth pursuing despite any setbacks. Accept the missteps along the way and get right back on course.
An incredible bonus of sticking with most health-focused resolutions is that they will inevitably result in a healthier heart. If heart health is your concern, or if you need guidance beginning a heart-healthy diet or quitting smoking, contact Cardiovascular Institute of the South. In addition to being home to some of the nation’s finest cardiologists, we provide several programs designed to help you achieve and maintain a healthier lifestyle.