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Sticking With Your 2023 New Year’s Resolutions

By Staff Writer
Share to Pinterest2023 new year's resolutions on a notebook
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There’s something therapeutic and refreshing about saying goodbye to an old year and welcoming in a new one. We may have picked up questionable habits or failed to follow through with last year’s resolutions, but as 2023 rolls in, many people see the incoming year as the slate wiped clean. It's a new chance to ready ourselves for what's ahead.

If you're the resolutions type, you know that picking them is usually pretty simple, and sticking with them is much harder. A few simple strategies can help your resolutions can become realities.

01

Achieve your aim of better fitness

Share to PinterestMan watching online videos and doing exercise at home

Studies show that fitness seekers pack the gyms early in the new year, but after a few weeks, attendance tapers off significantly. Only 8% of those who include a fitness resolution in their New Year’s goals stick to it through the year, and 80% have failed by the first week of February.

Experts suggest setting actionable, realistic, and relevant goals (Google SMART goals!) to achieve your new fitness aspirations. Choose a workout you enjoy, and don’t hesitate to change it up if you get bored.

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02

Hit your weight loss goal

Share to PinterestAfrican American woman celebrating on scale

According to the Centers for Disease Control, healthy, lasting weight loss should occur at a rate of one to two pounds per week. Start small, adding a serving of fruit or vegetables at each meal and incorporating physical activity into your daily routine.

The two biggest mistakes that people make when trying to lose weight are to focus solely on the numbers they see on the scale and to expect immediate results. Some research indicates that a two-weeks-on, two-weeks-off approach for dieting resulted in more weight loss and made it easier to stick with a plan.

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03

Successfully save more money

Share to PinterestWoman adding a coin to savings in a piggy bank.

For most people, saving money is not only a challenge but also a slow process. Financial gurus recommend squirreling away about 20% of your income each month. And, as boring as it may sound, sticking to a budget makes it easier to track spending and increase the amount of money you have to put into your savings.

One study found when a person's willpower muscles are tired, they're more likely to overspend and make less responsible financial decisions. Setting specific goals for finances can be a motivational tool, but so can the act of celebrating successes along the way.

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04

Stick with a better diet

Share to PinterestGreen vegan breakfast meal in bowl with spinach, arugula, avocado, seeds and sprouts. Girl in leggins holding plate with hands visible, top view. Clean eating, dieting, vegan food concept

Like weight loss and many other goals on this list, eating healthier is a lifestyle change, and it doesn’t happen overnight. You can revise the way you look at food by making adjustments to your daily eating schedules and meal menus.

Eating more home-cooked meals, loading up on hydrating foods, avoiding artificial colors and flavors, and adding foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon and peanut butter are good places to start.

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05

Follow through on your career pursuits

Share to PinterestBusinesswomen shaking hands in modern office

In August 2022, over 4 million Americans quit their jobs. Workforce researchers have determined that this “great resignation” stems from people re-evaluating their work/life balance.

To stick with a plan to change or boost your career path, start by updating your skill sets. Then, determine whether you're headed in the right direction. Work coaches suggest making a list of three things that inspire you, then connecting possible careers that line up with your interests.

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06

Make a habit of spending more time with family

Share to Pinterestfamily leaving the house, father holding door

Sadly, if many of us have learned anything in recent years, it’s that our time with the most important people in our lives doesn’t last forever. Making time for family pays off in a plethora of ways. It improves happiness and satisfaction levels while also reducing stress and anxiety and lengthening life expectancy.

The more time we spend with family — whether biological or chosen — the more likely we’ll become the best version of ourselves. Family outings, movie and game nights, sharing meals, and taking walks together are simple ways to increase time with loved ones.

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07

Find and stick with a new hobby

Share to PinterestMan picking out guitar in shop

Hobbies may seem self-indulgent and frivolous, but numerous studies show that they can change a person’s life for the better. Over the last few generations, researchers found that people have increasingly lost their free time, then convinced themselves they have no time for a hobby.

In reality, hobbies take us out of our everyday experiences so that we can discover new passions and interests. To discover what hobby is right for you, make a list of your interests, then research a variety of activities to find the ones that intrigue you.

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08

Distance yourself from social media

Share to PinterestDeleting social media concept

Social media can trigger stress, increase anxiety, and lead to depression. For some, it’s an addiction that boils down to FOMO, or Fear of Missing Out, according to a study by Duke University.

While it isn’t easy to break the social media habit, there are simple ways to get it under control. Eliminating push notifications is the first step to meeting this 2023 resolution. Uninstall social media apps from your phone if you’re serious about getting away from temptation. Then, make sure you’ve logged out of all social media on your computer. You’ll be amazed at how freeing it can be.

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09

Finally stop smoking

Share to Pinterestwoman breaking a cigarette in half

Every year, lots of smokers make a resolution to kick their habit in the new year. Although there are infinite suggestions and tools available, success comes down to strategies, starting with devising a plan to make it happen.

Set a quit-smoking date and stick to it. Don't make it next week, but don't go too easy on yourself, either. Try gradually cutting back a bit at a time to reduce nicotine levels in the body. Avoid triggers, such as other smokers and smoking areas, to help avoid giving in to cravings.

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10

Do those decorations, renovations, or repairs

Share to PinterestFather painting a chair with his daughter

One of the best ways to welcome in the new year is to decorate your living space or, if you have the means, perform some renovations to make your life more comfortable.

A new coat of paint on the walls works wonders to brighten up your home and improve your mood. Check for simple home repairs that you can do. Repair leaky faucets or patch holes in your drywall. Weatherstrip exterior doors. Or, change out any incandescent light bulbs with LEDs to save money and energy.

Tackling small projects at the beginning can prevent you from feeling overwhelmed.

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