Tired of Making New Year’s Resolutions That You Don’t Keep?

For many of us, a new year means a new (or a repeat) list of resolutions. Studies show the most common ones relate to physical wellness—losing weight, exercising more and quitting smoking.

If you have a goal in mind, behavioral experts say that making a resolution increases your chances by about 10 times of meeting your goal. To help ensure success, they recommend following these strategies:

• Write down your reasons for making the resolution. Be honest—even if your desire to lose weight or exercise has more to do with your social life than your health.
• Find ways to enjoy the new behaviors you adopt as part of your resolution. Focus on the journey, not just the outcome. Challenge yourself to find new workout activities or healthy recipes that you enjoy preparing.
• Remove obstacles that will encourage you to quit. If you’re planning to join a fitness center, for example, it’s tempting to try to find one that will save you a few dollars, but if the location is not convenient or the atmosphere is a turn-off, you’ll be less likely to go.
• Create a routine. If you go to the fitness center the same days each week, it will be easier to stick with your plan. And if your routine is interrupted (for example, by work requirements, vacation or illness), get back into it as quickly as possible—even you have to start again at a slower pace.

And, remember that Engineering Good Health—our wellness and health management program—is here to help you. The Trust Fund provides many preventive care services for FREE or only a small copayment when you use in-network providers.