Stick to Lifestyle Changes, Not Resolutions

Every January, many people set ambitious goals for the year ahead, only to abandon them by February. Sound familiar? The problem isn't a lack of willpower or motivation. The truth is, resolutions are often set up to fail. 

Resolutions often focus on drastic, all-or-nothing changes that can feel overwhelming and unsustainable. They're typically vague, such as saying you want to "get healthy" or "lose weight," without a clear plan to achieve them. If you miss a day at the gym or eat something you told yourself was off-limits, it's easy to feel like you've failed and want to give up altogether. This cycle of setting resolutions and breaking them can leave you feeling discouraged year after year.

A better way to approach your lifestyle changes is to focus on small, sustainable ones rather than dramatic resolutions. For example, instead of promising to work out every single day, try adding a 15-minute walk three times a week. Rather than cutting out whole food groups, start by adding an extra serving of vegetables to your dinner. These small steps are easier to maintain because they don't require you to change everything at once. Over time, they help you build lasting habits that fit into your daily routine even when life gets busy.

Pick one specific habit you want to change, and break it down into the smallest step you can do consistently. If you want to drink more water throughout the day, begin by drinking one glass when you wake up each morning before you do anything else. Once that feels natural, add another glass before lunch, and gradually build from there. The goal is to make each step so easy that it hardly feels like a change. That's when you know it’s something you can keep up.

It's important to expect setbacks and not let them stop your progress. Life happens. You'll have busy weeks, unexpected events, or days when you simply don't feel like following through. The difference between a resolution and a lifestyle change is how you respond to these moments. Instead of seeing a missed workout or an unhealthy meal as a failure, treat it as a normal part of the journey and get back on track with your next opportunity. 

Setting up your environment to support your goals can help you succeed. If you want to eat healthier, keep nutritious snacks visible and easily accessible, and put less unhealthy options out of easy reach. If you want to read more, leave a book on your nightstand and leave your phone in another room. 

This year, try skipping the big resolutions and focus on building habits that genuinely improve your health and wellbeing. If you have questions about creating a personalized plan for long-term lifestyle changes or need support with your health goals, contact New York Health to schedule an appointment with one of our healthcare professionals.