80% of new year's resolutions fail – you can beat this trend!
Exercise is a gift you can give yourself every day!
New Year resolutions, are you crazy…its June?
Yes, and with the blessing of summer comes a new opportunity to relook at our goals and finish our year on a high. Please do take a moment to consider what you had planned. A big congratulations for every new year’s resolution that you are still working on.
Perhaps as you reflect, it’s unsurprising to learn that the Association of Psychology Newfoundland and Labrador, tells us that over 80% of us don’t keep our New Year’s resolutions past February. So don’t feel bad, instead look forward and pick up where you left off.
The good news is that today is a gift – and that is why it’s called the present.
Exercise is a practical way to love yourself (great self-care) every day. How’s your plan doing?
In last month’s blog, we spoke about brain training. Teaching our brains to make new habits as comfortable and simple as say “brushing your teeth”? We’re joined by Dr. Lupu as we continue exploring her secret sauce in how we can help our brains to help us make the changes we seek. You’ll read today is a great day to revisit your new year’s plans and consider your goals.
How you set your goals matters
First, we need to look at why 80% of resolutions fail. Dr. Lupu explains that “we often set up goals thinking of the best day of our life. For example, we might say we can do an hour a day.” Well, that is probably true isn’t it…? While we’re encouraged by social and popular media to plan big; instead when we plan realistically, we are more likely to achieve success.
Life is not perfect
Well back to that exercise goal ... when we’re buoyed by ambition we may plan for the ideal day. Say when life is perfect such as …when the kids are not sick, and the dog is not barfing, and work is going well. But truthfully, those are ideal days. Dr. Lupu cautions, “We don't want to have a goal set on an ideal day.”
Set realistic goals
Making it work relates back to ‘R’ in SMART Goals. Realistic is not our ideal day. We need to have goals that work even when life doesn’t go as planned. Dr. Lupu advises “Have a small goal where you know you can do it, even if things don’t go to plan”. And then you also want to have a plan B, in case plan A doesn't work. That’s being realistic and setting yourself up for success even when life isn’t easy.
Benefits of physical activity
Physical activity helps healthy growth and development. It:
Gives us energy
Decreases stress, anxiety, or depression
Makes us stronger
Prolongs independence as we age
It also helps prevent these chronic diseases:
Cancer
Obesity
Hypertension
Heart disease
Type 2 diabetes
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/being-active/physical-activity-your-health.html
Set yourself up for success
What’s your plan A, and plan B? Say perhaps you decide that you’ll exercise Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for five minutes, and you’ll take a walk around the block where you live. Plan B for example is that if circumstances get in the way, you’ll add in a similar walk during your lunch break on the next day.
Get started and get ready to celebrate! So, for the first two weeks, if all you do is put on your shoes and go outside for five minutes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. At the end of those two weeks, celebrate!
Celebrations are important.
They’re for the beginning, the middle, and the end. In fact, for any time you’ve achieved – reward yourself and celebrate! Celebrating connects you to the activity you're doing. And now your brain knows that you have become a person who exercises!
You’re more than halfway there:
Once you become in your own head, a person who exercises, pretty much half of the battle is won. Now, all you must do is keep building on that. You’ve conquered your biggest obstacle! Good luck as you keep your Plan A and Plan B flexible.
Success is within your reach.
With thanks to:
New year’s resolutions fail https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/new-years-resolution-janine-hubbard-1.5412777
