The statistics about New Year’s resolutions are pretty dismal. Sure, almost everyone makes them but studies show fewer than one in ten people can keep them. If you fall in the latter category, take heart. Last month we asked Synergy readers who are succeeding where so many of us fail to send tell us how they are doing it. Here are some of the most popular you-can-keep-those-resolutions tips.
High on the list were setting realistic goals and keeping track of your goals with a spread sheet or diary. One survey participant who simply started saying “no” to the candy drawer and consciously choosing healthy breakfasts and lunches has dropped 15 pounds.
Recruiting the help of friends and family is also helping to keep people on track. “My family has made a group commitment to eat lean and use activity as a family to keep up motivated,” a reader wrote. Another, who made a New Year's resolution to get into shape so she can have more energy to play with her children, told us she’s able to exercise six days a week because her husband agreed to take care of the kids during her workouts. The result? She’s lost 20 pounds since 2013 began. A survey participant explained how joining forces with her husband helped them keep the same resolution to eat a healthier diet. They vowed to both eat more vegetables and opt for salads more often and are sticking to their new eating plan together.
Where they work out -- and with whom -- has helped several Synergy readers keep resolutions to get in shape. Joining a gym can be a waste of money if you don’t go. On the other hand, several sticking-to-their-resolutions readers said that paying for a membership is a great motivator to keep exercising.
“I'm being held accountable for maintaining a certain number of workouts per month to save money with my fitness discount. This incentive definitely helps,” a reader told us. “I also found that joining the gym has helped me with my healthy eating goal. My hard work at the gym is not worth it if I immediately go out and eat fast food. I look for healthier alternatives for the foods I normally eat and make sure I have fresh fruit available to snack on instead of candy.”
Another survey participant said starting a workout schedule with a co-worker was great motivation: “It has been a huge help in sticking to my goals! I've also made bets with another co-worker on losing weight. If we lose 5 pounds in one month, we treat ourselves by going out to lunch.”
In addition, facing some medical problems, including being diagnosed with diabetes, has been a wake-up call that’s keeping many people focused on New Year’s Resolutions to live healthier lives. And one reader noted he’s quit smoking and is sticking to his smoke-free life because he simply smells so much better!
We picked survey participant Pearl S. at random to receive a $50 Visa gift card. Pearl’s New Year’s resolution was to lose 60 pounds and, by February, she’d already dopped12 pounds – thanks to wise food choices, eliminating sodas from her diet and exercising regularly with Tai Chi and exercise equipment at home.
Congrats to Pearl and thanks to everyone who participated!
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