After the ball drops ushering in a new year, many Americans begin their journey to self-improvement by resolving to lose weight and get fit.
But only eight percent of people are successful in achieving their resolutions, according to a study published in the University of Scranton’s Journal of Psychology. Breaking down goals into smaller and more measurable milestones can help keep a new eating or exercising routine on track.
When it comes to setting a New Year’s resolution, registered dietitian and certified health coach, Melissa Brillhart, MA, RD, LD, warns against setting lofty goals.
“If I were to say, ‘I'm going to lose 50 pounds in the next two months,’ that's pretty lofty,” she said. “A healthy weight loss is anywhere from one or two pounds a week so don’t set yourself up for failure by resolving to lose 50 pounds in eight weeks.”
Brillhart stressed the importance of making achievable and actionable goals.
“A goal without a plan is just a wish,” she said, referencing a quote by French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. “When we talk about starting to come up with a goal for ourselves, it needs to be simple like, ‘I'll eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.’”
Brillhart wants everyone to set himself or herself up for success beyond February when many people give up on their resolutions.
“When we talk about goals, we need to have a plan,” she said. “We need to make them SMART (Specific, Measurable, Acton-oriented, Realistic, Time-based) and not set ourselves up for failure.”
To help you reach your goals this, Tanner Health System’s Get Healthy, Live Well provides healthy eating and exercise tips on its website at www.GetHealthyLiveWell.org.