Cx2 on... New Year. Now what?

Making New Years resolutions seems so passe anymore. Yet I believe it is one tradition that has stood the test of time.
Every year people look forward to January 1 as a way to reinvent themselves and a new beginning.
There's always the usual resolutions: lose weight, quit smoking and spend more time with the family.
The question is: why don't they work?
The gyms make bank on memberships in January/February and infomercials pushing diet/exercise fads explode.
People need to make realistic goals for themselves and make baby steps to achieve these goals.
Maybe make monthly big goals such as:
January: join gym and go atleast 2x a week.
February: 3x a week and eat smaller portions
March: 4x a week and add more veggies instead of chips for a snack

Making specific goals with deadlines will help avoid the procrastination issue. You'll feel a sense of accomplishment when you make even the small goals.
Its important to not only change old bad habits but MAKE new GOOD habits. You can't change over night but small goals might be the best way to a new you.

For the smokers it works the same. Rather than cold turkey January 1. Maybe its a %. Jan: Smoke 90% of what I used to.

Feb: 80%
March: 70% and so on til you've kicked it.

I think sometimes we want something so bad we go to ridiculous extremes. Like going to the gym and maxing out the first 2 weeks of January and expecting to lose 20lbs by February.

Its important to be real with yourself about what you can feasibly do. And realize changes take TIME.

Its also important to make changes for YOURSELF not just for others. If you change yourself for someone else, you're putting unnecessary pressure on yourself as well as the other person. And especially in the case of a significant other or spouse, if they leave -- you are more apt to go back to those bad habits.

However it is vital to have the support of the people around you and loved ones to keep you on track and motivated to succeed. If you have someone in your life who might benefit or made the same goal as you - work together to support each other. You won't feel so alone during rough patches. Having someone else right there with you will create an atmosphere of positive energy and mutual support.

I realize it IS February now, and this would be a better topic for January -- however this is how I roll.

Best of luck on achieving your goals and bettering yourself.