New Year’s Resolutions (With a Contest!)
The New Year is a great time for a fresh start and a fresh outlook on life. Maybe you’d like to spend more time with family and friends, start that work-out routine you’ve been meaning to get to, or learn something new. Often we start the New Year all gung-ho and ready to commit, but after a few weeks or a couple months our determination starts to slide. I’ve experienced it myself, and I have to admit that to this day the only resolutions I’ve kept are the simpler ones. The good news: there are ways to keep yourself motivated and up to the task of completing your goals! Here are some tips to help:
Don’t set too many goals for yourself
Rather than overload yourself with resolutions and hard-to-reach expectations, try to limit your New Year’s resolutions to two or three things. Any more than that and you may find that you become exhausted and are more likely to quit. You also need to set aside time each week to achieve your goals. For example, if you want to start a work-out routine, try setting aside time three days a week and keep it consistent so that it will become routine to you.
Be accountable to someone
Tell a friend about your goals, and make a pact to encourage one another. You can check in with each other each week to talk about your goals. Being accountable to someone in this way will help keep you motivated; you will receive encouragement and be less likely to quit because you won’t want to let your friend down.
Make a list and keep it visible
On a piece of paper write down your goals with a schedule and what you hope to accomplish. This will make it feel more permanent. Put this list somewhere where it will be visible like the kitchen fridge or in your bedroom. This constant reminder will help keep you accountable.
Don’t beat yourself up
Everyone slips up once in a while, so don’t beat yourself up! If you are trying to tackle something difficult like quitting smoking, don’t let the guilt of having a cigarette here and there deter you. There may be tough days where all you can think about is having that smoke to relieve some tension. One smoke doesn’t make you a smoker again (just like having that Big Mac you’ve been craving for weeks doesn’t mean you’ve ruined your diet!).
Be your own cheerleader
Reaching any goal is a process and often the road is a bumpy one. You can make it there, you just have to believe in yourself and be your own motivator! Keep in mind what you will achieve and how good it will feel to know that you have done this for yourself. Any goal is achievable if you are determined to get there
Good luck with your resolutions. I wish you all happiness and health this coming year!
*Contest Details: We would love to hear about your New Year’s resolutions for 2013! All you need to do is comment on this blog letting us know what your goals are for this year and you will automatically be entered to win one of our NEW Friendship Packs! The contest ends January 31st, 2013
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Comments
My 2013 resolution is to try to be more organized in my life so I can spend less time looking for things and more time with my family.
This year I’m trying to re-reach my goal weight at Weight Watchers. I hit goal about 2 years ago and then last year I put about 30 lbs. back on! I’ve been super diligent about writing down things, but another resolution was to not let failure/unexpected results derail me…in anything. This one will be a little harder! 
I am keeping on track so far. My resolutions include getting on my treadmill daily for 20 min. Only having one small French vanilla a day from Tim’s, cutting out sweets! I am staying strong lol.
My resolutions are a little different this year. I’m working on developing one or two small habits each month. I’m seeing improvement but I’m struggling especially with one habit.
For me, 2013 is all about organization – getting myself more organized, getting the house more organized, and educating my husband and daughter to help them realiz that we are happier in our home when we are organized!
My resolution for this year is to not make so many ‘to-do’ lists and cut back on the amounts of things I have to do in a day.
My goals for the year –
1. Schedule time by myself and enjoy the quiet.
2. Read 2 books a month.
3. Make baby blankets for friends with new babies.
4. Be available for all of my kids activities.
5. Date night with my husband – once a month.
My goal is to get in touch with old friends. Life is too busy but also too short so its time for me to reconnect with some friends I have not been in touch with for awhile!
We are thrilled to announce that Pina you are the winner of our contest. An email has been sent to you.
Thank you to everyone who played along!
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I want to not only get healthier in 2013, but I want to inspire & encourage others to do the same. Our health is so important and something we tend to take for granted… no more!