I hope that everyone is or has enjoyed time with their families, friends, and loved ones over the holidays. The last few days have been a whirlwind for me, but I still found time to reflect on all the joys of the season and am so grateful for everyone in my life. Being that it is a busy season for most people including myself, I didn’t want to take much of your time with a lengthy blog post, however I did want to leave you with some positive thoughts and (hopefully) great tips on how you can achieve your new year’s resolution. Yes, there are of few of you that don’t set a new year’s resolution and that’s totally fine. However, many people like to start a new year with making a change for the better in their lives. Whether it is exercising, reading more, improving finances, or eating healthier, new year’s resolutions are very popular. There is a saying that “New Year’s resolutions are meant to be broken,” so I am here today to help you keep that promise to yourself and achieve that goal that you have set for yourself.
Here are 5 Ways to Achieve Your New Year’s Resolution
1. Set a measurable goal, not an arbitrary one – Sure we all want to look our best, have more money in the bank, or stay well, however it’s important to be able to set a measurable goal in order to track your progress. If you want to lose weight, have a goal weight in mind. If you want to save money, have a goal of how much you want to see in savings. If you want to stay well and out of the hospital, count how many flare-ups and hospital visits you had in 2019 and set a goal for 2020.
2. Ask yourself, “Is this goal achievable?”- Don’t set your goals too high that they could be impossible to reach. If you want to lose weight, set a safe and healthy goal of the first 10-15 pounds. Don’t aim for the size that you ultimately want to be. If you want to have more money in the bank, start with a realistic goal for yourself accounting for your monthly expenses and any incidentals.
3. Set a schedule to achieve it- Look at your calendar for 2020 and set a realistic timeline for success. Set time for monthly (or weekly) check-ins to evaluate whether you are staying on track. If you rush reaching your goal you may set yourself up for a real disappointment. For example, plan out when you want to lose your first 2-3 pounds or make a plan for incremental success for saving. Keep in mind that people with lung conditions may need to allow extra time to achieve their goals due to setbacks and flare-ups associated with their condition. Setting a schedule will allow you to track your progress and celebrate your achievements along the way.
4. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to achieve your resolution – If losing weight, getting in shape, or eating more nutritiously is a resolution of yours, keep in mind that you don’t have to spend a ton of money to do it. There is no need for expensive gyms. You can get a decent workout in the comfort of your own home. Light hand weights (3-5 pounds) can be purchased from stores like Walmart, Amazon, and 5 And Below for relatively low cost. Walking is one of the best activities that you can do for increasing endurance. Start out by walking laps around your home adding more steps a day. Get outside when the weather is mild and walk the length of your driveway and back adding more distance each attempt. I also like small mini cycles that you can place in front of a sturdy chair or up on a table (to work your arms) when the weather isn’t conducive to outside exercise. There are also wonderful programs to stream through YouTube just by searching “low impact exercise routines” and Pulmonary Wellness Online has a wonderful online pulmonary rehab program you can check out. When it comes to eating on a budget, pay attention to grocery store sales on meats, fruits, and vegetables. Try to cook extra servings for quick meals throughout the week. Buy seasonal produce to keep costs down.
5. Envision Success – If you spend a few minutes each day envisioning yourself achieving your goal, it will continue to motivate you. For example, think about getting into that old pair of jeans or being able to view your bank statement without worry. Think of all the benefits that can happen from achieving your goal. Visualize your next steps for achieving your resolution. Plan out how you are going to handle the week’s challenges that could derail your progress.
Thanks for Reading!
If you enjoyed this blog, I invite you to check out some of the topics I have covered in the past
Remember: We are in this TOGETHER!
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:) Christina
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