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PAE
1. BE REALISTIC 6. REWARD YOURSELF
The surest way to fall short of your goal is to This doesn’t mean that you can eat an entire
make your goal unattainable. For instance, box of chocolates if your resolution is to eat a
resolving to NEVER eat your favourite food better diet. Instead, celebrate your success by
again is setting you up to fail. Instead, strive treating yourself to something you enjoy that
for a goal that is attainable, such as avoiding it doesn’t contradict your resolution. If you have
more often than you do now. been sticking to your promise to eat better,
for example, reward yourself with new fitness
2. PLAN AHEAD clothing or by going to a movie with a friend.
Don’t make your resolution on a whim, if you
fail to plan, you plan to fail and your resolution 7. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS
will be based on your mindset that particular Keep track of each small success. Short-
day. term goals are easier to keep, and each
small accomplishment will help keep you
3. OUTLINE YOUR PLAN motivated. Instead of focusing on losing 30
Decide how you will deal with the temptation pounds, focus on losing the first five. Keep
to skip that exercise class or have that piece a food journal to help you stay on track, and
of cake. This could include calling on a friend reward yourself for each five pounds lost.
for help, practicing positive thinking and
self-talk, or reminding yourself how your 8. DON’T BEAT YOURSELF UP
temptations will affect your goal. Obsessing over the occasional slip won’t help
you achieve your goal. Do the best you can
4. MAKE A “PROS” AND “CONS” LIST each day, and take one day at a time.
It may help to see a list of items on paper to
keep your motivation strong. Develop this list 9. STICK TO IT
over time and ask others to contribute to it. Experts say it takes about 21 days for a new
Keep your list with you and refer to it when activity to become a habit and six months
you need help keeping your resolve. for it to become part of your personality. It
won’t happen overnight, so be persistent and
5. TALK ABOUT IT patient!
Don’t keep your resolution a secret.
Tell friends and family members who will 10. KEEP TRYING
be there to support your resolve to change If you have totally run out of steam when it
yourself for the better or improve your comes to keeping your resolution by mid-
health. The best-case scenario is to find a February, don’t despair. Start over again!
buddy who shares your New Year’s resolution Recommit yourself for 24 hours. You can do
and motivate each other. anything for 24 hours. The 24-hour increments
will soon build on each other and, before you
know it, you will be back on track.
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