Welcome to 2021! Another year has come and gone. What a year 2020 was, am I right? With every new year comes new goals and possibly a New Year’s resolution. Did you know: research shows that only 8% of those who set New Year’s resolutions are successful in achieving them? If you’re looking to keep your resolution in 2021, continue reading to learn 5 secrets to keep your New Year’s resolution.

1. Set SMART Goals

“SMART” stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely. When setting goals, you want to make sure that they fit all of the categories above. By setting SMART goals, you define how you’ll achieve your goal and identify why you are working toward it. An example of a goal that is not “SMART” would be “I want to lose weight”. An example of a SMART goal would be “I want to lose 15 pounds in 4 months while working with a personal trainer and dietitian”.

2. Start Small

When setting goals, you want to be realistic and honest with yourself. Start with a goal that is easy to achieve in a short amount of time. This will help you gain a sense of accomplishment. You can also break up goals into short term and long term goals. If your goal is to lose 15 pounds in 4 months, you may want to break that down into separate goals for each month.

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3. Make A List (And Check It Often)

Writing down your specific plan on how you will obtain and achieve your goals makes them tangible. Checking back on your goals and resolutions will help you keep on track to meet them.

4. Find A Source Of Accountability

By sharing your goals and resolutions with others, it will help keep you focused on meeting them. Find a friend or family member to help keep you accountable and support you through the process. By working with a personal trainer and dietitian, they can provide not only education, but accountability and support to keep you on track.

5. Don’t Beat Yourself Up And Celebrate Your Success!

Confidence grows with each goal you achieve. A broken resolution isn’t a failed one until you quit. As long as you keep working toward your SMART goal, you can still achieve it.

One of the biggest reasons people “fail” on their New Year’s resolutions is because they give up after one setback. Keep your head up, focus on consistency and stay positive! Just like you, your health is one of a kind! What works for another person may not work for you, so don’t compare your goals or success to anyone else.

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Post written by FFC Registered Dietitian Chelsea Rice.