New Year’s Resolutions: Here’s What You’re Doing Wrong
New Year’s resolutions are a popular tradition for many people, but it can be difficult to stick to them and realize our goals. Common obstacles we face include setting unattainable goals, failing to make an action plan, or simply lacking accountability.1 All of these issues can make it hard to stay motivated and focused on the task at hand.
At Kintsugi Physical Therapy & Wellness, we understand the struggles of trying to improve your health and wellbeing. That’s why we want to offer you some guidance and support as you embark on this journey in the new year.
In this article, we will explore some of the reasons why health and wellness resolutions fail and provide strategies for overcoming those obstacles. By proactively addressing potential issues, you can increase your chances of reaching your resolutions and improving your overall health and wellbeing.
Reason #1: Unrealistic Goals
One of the main reasons why health and wellness resolutions fail is that people set goals that are overly ambitious or unrealistic.2 To make lasting changes to our behavior and habits, we need to make slow progress. A sudden change may not be easy for most people to keep up.
For example, if you have no running experience, and you want to run a marathon by the end of the month, this may be too hard for you to do. Instead, it would be better to set achievable, measurable, and specific goals. Instead, you could set a goal to run a 5K in the month and increase it over time. This way you can make achievable progress as you build up your capacity.
Reason #2: Improper Planning
Another common reason why health and wellness resolutions fail is poor planning. Without a roadmap or plan in place to guide your efforts, it is easy to become sidetracked or derailed by unexpected obstacles.3 To ensure success, create a specific plan with milestones or checkpoints along the way and strategies for overcoming any potential obstacles. Allocate enough time for physical activity, meal planning, and other tasks related to your resolution. Lastly, find ways to stay motivated throughout your journey – this could be through rewards, an accountability partner, or other forms of support. By taking these steps to set yourself up for success, you can achieve your health and wellness goals.
Reason #3: Lack of Social Support
Staying accountable is an important factor when it comes to achieving health and wellness resolutions. Without accountability, it can be easy to make excuses or give up when progress isn’t made.4 To ensure you stay on track, there are a few methods you can use to hold yourself accountable.
Enlisting the help of friends and family for support and accountability can be beneficial. You could also seek out the advice of a coach or mentor who specializes in health and fitness to help guide you through your journey. Alternatively, setting up regular check-ins with yourself, tracking your progress, and setting reminders are also helpful tools for staying on track. Lastly, consider finding an accountability partner who can provide encouragement and support throughout your journey.5 By utilizing these strategies for staying accountable, you will have better chances of reaching your health and wellness goals successfully.
Let Kintsugi Physical Therapy & Wellness Help You Keep Your Health Goals
At Kintsugi Physical Therapy & Wellness, we are dedicated to helping our clients achieve their health and wellness goals. Our team of experienced professionals can provide you with the guidance and support you need to reach your objectives. Whether it is managing a chronic condition, increasing physical fitness or simply pursuing a healthier lifestyle, we have the expertise and resources to help you reach your goals.
Don’t let obstacles stand in the way of achieving your health and wellness resolutions. Contact us or call us at (253) 330-8518 today to learn more about how we can assist you on the path toward better health and well-being.
References
- American Psychological Association. (2018). New year’s resolutions: Tips for sticking to them. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/new-years-resolutions
- Boudreaux, J. (2019). How to set and achieve your health and wellness goals. Retrieved from https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-set-and-achieve-your-health-and-wellness-goals-4156163
- Gluck, M. (2018). The science behind why new year’s resolutions fail. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/marcgluck/2018/12/28/the-science-behind-why-new-years-resolutions-fail/?sh=7b00c9d03f70
- Mayo Clinic. (2020). Health and wellness goals: 10 tips for success. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/health-and-wellness-goals/art-20047692
- National Institute of Mental Health. (2021). Setting and achieving goals. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/setting-and-achieving-goals/index.shtml