New Year’s Resolutions: Why Do We Make Them and How Do We Keep Them?

So many of us make them, but so few actually succeed, so why do we do it in the first place?

I admit, this year I have the most boring and cliche New Year's Resolution that just happens to also be number one, lose weight.  Normally I never make a resolution, I figure you can make one for any time of the year, you just need to be dedicated.  This year everything just fell into place for my resolution to shed some pounds.

I think it's obvious "why" we make the resolutions.  It's a new year, a new beginning and time to make changes  There's society pressure too, people are always asking what your resolution is. It's just a trendy thing to do for some, for others, it's out of necessity.

From usa.gov are some of the most common New Year's Resolutions.

Lose Weight
Volunteer to Help Others
Quit Smoking
Get a Better Education
Get a Better Job
Save Money
Get Fit
Eat Healthy Food
Manage Stress
Manage Debt
Take a Trip
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
Drink Less Alcohol

As you can see, the most popular New Year's Resolutions are all related to lifestyle and health.  We want to improve our quality of life, and for some it may literally be a matter of life or death to improve the diet and get more exercise.  But it's always easier said than done.  You'll find many self-help sites to assist you, but some common things to help keep your New Year's Resolution are:

-Be Specific.  An article in Forbes magazine explains that your resolution shouldn't be so vague as to just "lose weight', but you should come up with a number.  Any decent trainer would also tell you to make your goal obtainable as well, otherwise you're setting yourself up to fail.

If you really want to get to the point, a study at Scranton University was explained in this article at Vox that said to "make your goal obtainable, know that you'll screw up, and be motivated and dedicated".  Maybe that's simplifying the situation  a little bit too much but at least it's memorable.

My wife and I have made plans to do a lot more hiking and biking this year, there's lot's of canyons and place to explore in the region and we're just waiting for a little better weather.  I hope to shed at least 10 pounds this year, yeah, that's not a lot, but again I'm making it attainable and realistic (man's gotta eat too right?).

Bottom line, no matter what your New Year's Resolution is, don't expect to keep it if you're heart is not in it.  Don't make one because everyone else does, you're most certain to fail that way.  Be true to yourself and your resolution could really become reality.