Keeping New Year's Resolutions

Over the last few years I've made less and less New Year's Resolutions. Part of the reason is I've had a few too many things on my plate already without adding something else to think about. The other part is I struggle to keep up with my resolutions.

So this year in thinking about how to keep on keeping on, I came up with a few tips.

1. Don't let your eyes be bigger than your stomach. Some people approach new year's resolutions much like a dinner buffet. They put a little bit of everything on their plate. The problem is that trying to change one habit is hard enough... changing 20 at one time is impossible. Choose one or two things to focus on and do them well.

2. Be specific. To be attainable, resolutions need to be specific. Instead of saying: I'm going to eat healthier this year, try eliminating just one thing from your diet, like high-fructose corn syrup or partially hydrogenated oil. Or instead of saying get in shape, say exercising three times a week for thirty minutes.

3. Be reasonable. To say you're going to work out every day of 2012 or stop eating all processed foods (as your first attempt to becoming more healthy) is probably stretching it a bit. Set small goals which over time relate to the bigger life changes you desire. If you want to read more, start by trying to read one book a month or every-other-month or every quarter. If you know your limitations, you're less likely to set your self up for failure.

4. Remove and Replace. When we're conditioned to certain habits our brain is on autopilot. To keep up with changing habits we must have a plan in place to help us create new brain patterns. For example, if I want to stop eating junk food, it's easier to do if my pantry not only doesn't have junk food in it, but has healthy snack options. When I'm starving I need to have something to reach for eliminating the urge to jump in the car and drive through Dunkin Donuts. Same with eliminating drinking or smoking. These are coping mechanisms and need to be replaced with something to get through stressful times. Alcohol mellows us out and takes the edge off. So does taking a warm shower or having a hot tea or latte with a friend. Smoking helps elevate anxiety and pent up energy. So does knitting or taking a run. Find something that works for you and replace your old habit with a new one.

5. Get over the guilt. Just because you miss a day at the gym or give in to a sweet craving, it doesn't mean you have to throw your hands up and jump back on the wagon. Simply start fresh in the morning. The more you say no to hitting snooze or taking that bite, the easier it becomes to stay the course.

6. Grab a friend. When there's something I want to do, but just can't muster the willpower to stick to it, I grab a friend for accountability. Sometimes I makes pacts to modify behavior, create reward systems for sticking it out, or literally grab a friend to hit the gym. Life is better when lived in community and so is keeping resolutions.

By now you know if your 2012 goals are too lofty or if your willpower needs a boost. The year is far from over. It's not too late to get back on the wagon and make 2012 the year you keep your New Year's resolutions.

For more tips, check out what Alicia from Get Buttoned Up has to say on BlogHer.

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This post is part of the Life Well Lived editorial program for BlogHer and P&G.