How to Stick to your New Year’s Resolutions
As a new year starts it is a great opportunity to begin integrating healthy habits into your life! But this time I aim to make things a bit easier for myself and set New Year’s Resolutions that I can stick to.
Every year I like to think of resolutions as things I can add into my life rather than take away. People often decide to find what can be deducted. Common examples are cutting out certain food groups, like carbs, chocolate, sweets and anything considered ‘bad’ for us. Personally, I don’t think restrictions can be sustainable; it could be more realistic to reduce rather than remove.
That’s why, this year I have decided that my resolutions will be things that I can add into my life. That can also bring me some benefit. Here are some of the things I’ve been trying to implement.
An extra hour of sleep a night
I challenged myself to go to bed earlier and work on getting a full 8 hours of sleep a night. I have a fitbit which tracks and gives you a sleep score each night. I’ve been surprised at how much my score, and quality of sleep, has improved. Just by going to bed that hour earlier.
Drinking more water
This one is so important but often overlooked. Keeping hydrated is essential for everyday function. I tend to have a large bottle with me and keep it somewhere in my eyesight while at work. This prompts me to have a drink when I notice it. I also carry a reusable bottle with me whenever I’m out to keep me hydrated. And also to try and reduce my plastic waste!
Increasing daily steps
This was one of my bigger resolutions that I have had to make a bigger commitment to. Some days it has been much easier to hit my goal. Generally when the sun is shining! Other days I have had to make an extra effort, but overall it has been easier than I thought. Simple things like adding a 10-minute walk at the end of my workouts. And making a conscious effort just to walk around more at home!
Read more
I have always loved reading but recently it has been something that was pushed aside. Therefore, I added it to my list of things to add into 2023. I usually attribute my lack of reading down to not having enough time. But I know that if I make the effort, I do have enough time in the day if I prioritise.
You can see the things I have decided to add in 2023, are things that might take a bit of effort sometimes. But they aren’t massively challenging. However, they are all things that will greatly improve my physical and mental health. Without taking anything away from my life already. Creating a healthy lifestyle that is sustainable should be made of small changes that are easy to work alongside your life. If you create an ‘all or nothing’ approach to fitness you will ultimately set yourself up to fail.
If you currently don’t attend the gym and then give yourself the goal to go 6 times a week. This is a massive challenge and not one that will be easy to continue. However, if you just set a goal of 2-3 times a week this is a lot more achievable. And you will not feel like you have failed before you start! Ultimately we want to be setting New Year’s resolutions thats we can stick to!
