Trazee In-Depth: New Year, New Me, Same Resolutions

It’s that time of year again — the one where we swear to replace old bad habits with new ones and ring in the New Year with all sorts of ambition. Unfortunately, most of us don’t make it through January, let alone the whole year with our “New Year, New Me” attitude.

The first challenge in sticking to our New Year’s resolution is one we usually create ourselves — we set unrealistic goals. There is that classic list of New Year’s resolutions we see every year — get healthy, save money, travel more, give back, etc. —all great goals, but the more vague and lofty the resolution, the more likely we are to bail mid-year or month.

People who want to get active, eat healthy and make it to the gym every day, that is a great goal, but it needs to be modified per person. If you’re coming off a month (or several) of eating holiday meals, indulging in celebratory drinks, staying in and lounging, start small. Try going dry for the month of January and giving up all alcohol. The New Year’s parties are over and you have a break between holidays, so take advantage and test your willpower.

It is only a month, not the whole year, but the short-term goal will jump start your year and set you up for success for the rest of your goals. If you slip up one day, don’t quit, just add another day or two onto your sentence so when you complete 31 days, you’ll still feel accomplished. Think of the money you’ll save and hangover-free mornings you’ll enjoy.

Next up, the fitness aspect. For those who want a gym membership, now is a great time to shop around. Gyms and fitness groups know this is where the bulk of their clientele joins, so there will be seasonal offers and packages for a limited time. Find the one that works for you and is close to home or work so you can weed out any excuses you’ll want to make down the road.

For some added support and motivation, join with a friend and double your chances of sticking to your fitness goals this year. Start slow and make a resolution to get to the gym two–three times a week, then three–four, then so on and so on. Resolutions can be gradual as not everyone benefits from a dive-right-in mentality. Keep it up and it will be a habit by February.

Many of us want to save money and give back in the New Year, which can sometimes go hand in hand. Begin with an early spring cleaning. Go through your room, apartment or home space by space. Beginning with clothing, go through everything you haven’t worn or even looked at in a season and set it aside for charity or consignment. Same goes for household items. Excess plates, glasses, lamps, etc., can all be set aside and donated to Goodwill or the Salvation Army, and even sold online or to a furniture consignment store. You’ll appreciate the extra space, organized closet and that do-good feeling of giving back with the opportunity for extra cash in your pocket.

There is a myriad of ways to give back in the New Year, from setting up a fun run with friends and family that donates to your favorite charity or participating in a community effort such as a soup kitchen or animal shelter.

Find an animal refuge near you and apply to volunteer. Go before or after work or on the weekends, offering to walk dogs, clean and lend a helping hand in any way you can. Think of the dog walking as added exercise keeping you on track for the health and wellness goals.

There are only so many hours in a day, so prioritize your time. You don’t have to do everything all at once everyday. Getting overwhelmed and biting off more than you can chew can hinder your experience and knock you off your New Year’s resolution momentum. Try bundling some of your goals.

If you’re looking to give back, be active and try new experiences, check out runs, walks and fun activities that give back going on in your community and sign up in advance to give yourself a goal to work toward, or find one worth traveling for.

If traveling more is on your list of resolutions, this is a great way to tick a few off at once. Discuss with friends and family, or go solo and figure out the best race or event right for you. Make a mini vacation out of it and explore the local scene while keeping up with your fitness and charitable goals.

By keeping active, connected with friends and family and working toward thinking globally and acting locally, you can expect to feel accomplished and successful this New Year. Make 2018 your best year yet and stick to your resolutions one day at a time.