7 Tips to Keep Your New Year's Resolutions Going Strong

By Phyllis Goldberg, Ph.D. and Rosemary Lichtman, Ph.D.

The idea of New Year's resolutions is not really new. Janus, the god of gates, doors,
doorways, beginnings and endings, was usually shown with two heads facing in opposite
directions. According to legend, one of his heads was looking backwards into the old year
and the other was looking forwards into the new one. Two thousand years ago the
Romans ended the year by reviewing it. And at that time they resolved to achieve more
and pay homage to Janus, namesake of the month of January.

Setting new goals at the beginning of the year is now common practice, and the majority
of these fall into three categories: lose weight, stop smoking, and start an exercise
program. But even more common seems to be the tendency to break New Year's
resolutions. Research suggests that the long-term success rate is only about 20%. Chances
are, at some time, you've been a part of this statistic. How can you stop the cycle of
resolving to make change, but then not following through? Here are some strategies that
can help you work it out:

1. Be realistic. Strive for a goal that is reasonable and attainable. Instead of resolving to
never again eat the fattening foods you love, avoid them more often than you do now.
Choose practical solutions that you will be help you succeed.

2. Outline your plan and have a backup. If you decide to stop smoking, how will you
deal with the temptation to have one more cigarette? What about calling on a friend for
support or participating in a pleasurable activity instead. Or practice positive thinking and
visualize a healthier body - consider that you will breathe easier, cough less and be able
to exercise more.

3. Talk about it. Don't keep your new goal a secret. Find a friend who shares your
resolve and continue to motivate each other. Enroll in a smoking cessation program or
join a group. Tell family members who can be there to talk you through the tough times.

4. Track your progress. Notice each small success you make toward reaching your
long-term goal. Short-term objectives are easier to keep, and small accomplishments will
help you stay motivated. Instead of being focused on competing in a marathon, begin by
jogging a couple of times a week.

5. Reward yourself. This doesn't mean eating apple pie and ice cream if your goal is to
diet. Celebrate your success by treating yourself to an activity that doesn't undermine
your resolution. If you've been sticking to your objective of eating better, your reward
can be a movie or a ball game with a friend.
6. Stick to it. Obsessing about the occasional slip won't help you achieve your goal. Do
the best you can and take one day at a time. Be patient as you let a new activity, like
exercising regularly, become a habit. And before long, your new healthy routine will
become second-nature to you.

7. Keep trying. If you run out of steam by mid-February, don't despair. Start all over
again - set another goal to get your body in better shape. There's no reason you can't
make a new resolution any time of the year.

Joining a gym, a stop smoking program or weight watchers is the easy part – continuing
to show up is the bigger challenge. So what are your new goals for 2010? If you're like
most people, you'll be eager to get started right after January 1st. Now that you have
some new strategies to implement, resolve to turn year-end ambitions into year-long
healthy lifestyle changes.

© Her Mentor Center, 2009

Phyllis Goldberg, Ph.D. and Rosemary Lichtman, Ph.D. are family relationship experts
who publish a free monthly newsletter, Stepping Stones. Whether you're coping with
acting out teenagers, aging parents, boomerang kids or difficult daughters-in-law, we
have solutions for you. Visit our website, http://www.HerMentorCenter.com, and blog,
http://www.Nourishing Relationships.blogspot.com, for practical tips about parents
growing older and children growing up.