Take Your New Year Resolutions Seriously

This is a time when people take New Year Resolutions , but they are also a waste of time if people do not take them seriously.

According to Joshua Klapow, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Jan. 1 is a great time to start living the way you want to be. But, you have to be serious about it and create a game plan so the resolutions are implemented and not squandered.

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"Many of us wind up making short-lived changes that rarely pan out. We resolve to be different or live better, and then spend a year not achieving these goals. We waste time making unmet resolutions yearly," said Klapow.

"Without a course of action, these changes will not fall into place. It's not enough just to be inspired."

If you want to achieve goals like losing weight, for example, you have to be detailed about it. Klapow asserted that the people should outline the days and times they will hit the gym, the menu adjustments they will make and who in their circle can help keep them accountable for these goals.

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But before the plans get too elaborate, Klapow has advised to do a gut-check.

"Ask yourself, 'do I really want to do this?' If your heart isn't in it, it's not going to happen. It's better to be honest than to fail."

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Once those resolutions are in place, and the New Year has begun, it's time to implement them. People should make promises for change that is life-long instead of temporary.

"Monitoring your progress is very important, but simply keeping a mental track will not cut it. If you are dieting, write down the foods you eat. If you want to spend less, write down your expenses. This will give you a visual account of what is working and what is not."

"You have to arrange your life for success. Buying junk food for your family while you are trying to diet is not going to help. If you want to save money - stop carrying credit cards. Control what you can control to make your goals more easily achievable."

"Treat yourself. You have to be good to yourself and your new behaviors. The principle is simple: Reward a good behavior, and it will happen again," Klapow added.

Source-ANI