New Year, New Me: a popular phrase typically thrown around during the first few weeks of the new year. For that brief period of time, gyms are crowded, screen times are lower, and bank accounts are full from people trying to eat healthier, save money, or workout more. But the reality is, that initial motivation is mostly gone by early February and by that point, everyone is starting to relapse into their old habits. Sticking with your goals can be tricky at first, but getting into a good routine and having a clear goal in mind is a critical step into actually making those New Year’s resolutions happen.
When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, or any set of goals for that matter, it is important to understand that they may take longer to achieve than you might think. A 2024 study done by the National Library of Medicine concluded that “health-related habits typically require 2-5 months to develop.” This timeline seems overwhelming compared to the 2-3 weeks that most people spend trying to reach their goals, but, the reality is, forming a new habit or lifestyle isn’t going to happen over night. You have to maintain that motivation and not give up when you realize that your desired results may not come as soon as you had hoped.
Physical/Workout Goals
Starting off, one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to workout/go to the gym more. The Bayou Bend Health System put together a list of some things to keep in mind when trying to achieve your fitness goals including starting small, making it enjoyable, and prioritizing sleep. Though it is often overlooked, sleep is one of the most important factors in maintaining a good fitness lifestyle. Missing out on sleep can lead to exhaustion and injuries as your body is not able to take the same amount of wear-and-tear as it would on a normal day. Pushing yourself too hard is a very common mistake for people who are new to physical activity, which could be a big reason why so many walk away from it without giving it much of a chance. It is important to remember to take it slow and not expect to see immediate results. Be patient and intentional with your goals and do some research in advance to find workout routines or fitness habits that keep you motivated.
Better Eating Habits
Eating healthier is another common goal for people as they enter a new year; however, much like achieving your workout goals, developing better eating habits will take time and shouldn’t be rushed. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, or the CDC, shared that “such radical changes are neither healthy nor a good idea and won’t be successful in the long run.” In other words, abruptly changing your eating habits so dramatically is not an effective or healthy way to reach your goals. Instead, focus on the 3 R’s: “reflect, replace, [and] reinforce (CDC).” Reflect by writing down what your normal eating schedule is and identify the things you want to cut back on or want to add, replace by getting rid of any bad eating habits and instating better ones, and reinforce by giving those habits time to develop and become a part of your daily routine. Remember that there will be times where you make a mistake or start to give in, but don’t let one bad decision make you give up entirely. Keep up with it, remember the goal, and in time, you will start to see some results.
School and Studying Routines
If you were to ask any high school kid what their New Year’s resolution is, a good majority of them would likely say to get better grades. Getting work done on time and in good quality is difficult for a lot of students, especially since most of them have to balance it with their extra circulars and social lives. With that being said, it is still a good goal to have and it is very much achievable. Asking for help, setting aside time to get it done, and putting in effort are all great ways to improve your grades. Most of the time, after 7 long hours of working your brain, digging into your math homework isn’t the first thing on your mind, and it doesn’t have to be. Give yourself a break when you first get home, but set aside time later in your evening to work on it. Maybe that’s at home at your desk, or at Starbucks with a fun drink, whatever it is, make it a space where you can focus and get done what needs to get done.
Though it can be hard to get it started, there is nothing more rewarding than putting in the work and getting your desired results. It is more likely than not that you will face challenges along the way, but sticking with it and showing up day in and day out will be worth it in the end.
