4 Tips to Help Mom Stick to Her New Year’s Resolutions - LiveHealth Online

Have you set healthy resolutions for 2016? Or have you helped your kids set their own? Here are 4 tips on how to stick to your new year’s resolution:

1. 1. Don’t be hard on yourself. Never make a resolution that has an ultimatum. For example, don’t say, “If I don’t run 3 miles 5 days of the week I can’t or won’t have dessert.” A resolution like this sets us up for failure. Instead, think about the good things you did and at the end of the week, tally them up and think of a reward that fits it. This is the time of year to work on your skin care so, treat yourself to a pedicure, get new facial oil, or buy a new book! The point is, don’t be hard on yourself. If you truly think you didn’t meet your goal, then skip the reward for the week and try again the next!
   2. Buy yourself a new planner. We may live in a digital age, but an agenda can be useful to keep track of your resolutions and list all that you do. Don’t include negative comments or things you did not do in this agenda.  
   3. Think in terms of tangible goals. Make sure your goals are realistic. For example, “this week I am not going to get a candy car at the vending machine or this week I am going to eat 5 servings of veggies each day.” This is so much more possible to do instead saying you want to lose 30 pounds by spring break. While we all want to fit into our swimsuit for the family vacation, you need to think about what’s the healthy route to losing weight and staying healthy.
   4. Add a goal that doesn’t revolve around food, exercise or weight! While many of our resolutions revolve around health, think of other things you can do that are good for you such as having a family cleaning day, donating clothes the kids have outgrown once a month or visiting your parents and the kids’ grandparents more often. These can be activities that are fun for the family and less stressful, too!