3 Ways to Set a New Year’s Resolution

by Registered Dietitian, Andrea Holwegner | Jan 11, 2016

You may have heard conflicting opinions on if setting a New Year’s resolution is actually beneficial given so many people fail at following them. I am strong believer in setting a New Year’s resolution but starting small. Work towards making sure it is clear and supportive rather than discouraging and overwhelming.

Here are 3 ways you may consider setting a sustainable New Year’s resolution that shifts change and inspires success.

1. Non-negotiable and negotiable clarity

Fill out the following statement that tells the story of what it looks like for you to eat healthy but still have a fun, flexible life.

“I am never giving up _____________________ but I’m willing to work on _____________________ .”

Here is an example: “I am never giving up potato chips, beer or some other soulful food chosen for enjoyment every day but I am willing to work on eating veggies at least twice per day at lunch and supper as well as not skipping breakfast on the weekend.”

2. Top 3 specific areas of focus

Bite-sized changes add up to supersized results so rather than thinking big, think small.

Here are a few examples:

• Download a hydration water timer on my phone to prompt me to get enough fluids in (this one is one of my personal goals for 2016)
• Pack 10 pieces of fruit to the office on Monday and place them in a fruit bowl on my desk with a target that the bowl is empty by the end of the work week (2 per day)
• Plan, prep and shop for 3 supper meals per week (use leftovers, freezer-ready options and easy ideas with minimal cooking the other nights)

3. One mantra for the entire year

If something specific doesn’t fit for you, why not try setting a single mantra for the entire year? What is the one single personal thing you are going to focus on learning, testing and implementing? Once you decide this, everything else you decide to shift positively is a bonus.

I set a mantra each year and this year it is simply “Be mindful and let be” given my focus in developing a meditation practice and mindfulness in everyday life. I will be reading lots about this topic, attending classes and be open to any ideas that come my way about mindfulness. At the end of each year I am amazed to look back at all the little things that shifted simply because I focused on just one thing.

How do you set New Year’s resolutions? If you have a different way of thinking about this or want to share your resolution, leave a comment below as I am interested to hear your thoughts.