As the year comes to a close, we are all looking forward to a fresh new year and for some new beginnings. Let’s face it, most of us would love to shed a few pounds, be healthier, etc. We all have some form of our own “kryptonite”. Mine is chocolate chip cookies. I swear I can hear them calling my name from my kitchen pantry.
I thought it may be helpful to offer a few tips to keep you on track.
1. Set smaller goals and chunk them into smaller steps. Goals and projects can look daunting when you look at how far of a journey you have to make. Set a short goal each day to accomplish one step closer to your longterm goal. If you can’t do it that day, don’t beat yourself up. A new day is awaiting to try it again. Yesterday is gone. Learn from your mistakes and move on.
2. Be positive. It’s easy to be positive until you realize your intention to eat one small cookie has just turned into four. Stay focused on the real reason you want to eat healthily. One reason could be to look good in a bathing suit, another may be seeing old friends in a few weeks, or wanting to fit into a pair of old jeans.
3. Examine deeper motivations behind the reason you got here in the first place. What was the real payoff for eating those cookies? Was it because I was bored, upset, stressed, or just hungry? Examine how you react with food and other habits when are you most prone to resort to self-defeating behavior.
4. Stay focused on your goal. Even if you have to hang up your favorite red dress that you love, you would like to wear it again. Take a picture of it and tape it to your refrigerator, keep a copy in your purse, your wallet, etc to keep your eye on the prize.
5. Find a friend who has the same goal and partner up to hit your goals. Review together what worked and what obstacles hindered your ability to get there. If you fall down you can help and encourage each other to hit your next goal.
Please share your tips on how you plan to hit your new goals for the upcoming year.
