2014: get ready for a new year and a new you

This archived article was written by: Brooke Van Wagoner

The gym is filled and the diets are on. It must be January. The obsession with New Year’s resolutions is sweeping the campus of USU Eastern and students are trying to start the year out right. But how many of those resolutions will make it past February? Why even bother to take the time and write them down?
Getting a jump start on the New Year is never bad. This time of year carries feelings of ambition. It is smart to take advantage of that. Though it may be cliché, there is something about Jan. 1 that gets people going. It gives you a chance to start with a theoretical clean slate, and that is powerful.
“Goals that are not written down are just wishes,” wrote Fitzhugh Dodson. Upon writing down how you want to lay off the junk food, it becomes a tangible objective to strive for.
Putting your goal down on paper is the first step to accomplishing the said goal. The act of writing, or typing, helps cement it in your mind. It is then readily available to review whenever convenient.
That brings me to the next point. Access that readily available list of aspirations and review them whenever you can. I would be so bold as to say to keep it somewhere you will see it every day, like your mirror. You are more likely to hit the gym three times a week or not drink your favorite soda if you are reading your list twice a day as you brush your teeth.
Now that I’ve gone over a few of the why’s, I want to talk about the how’s. It is hard to stick to a new regimen or in extreme cases, 86 all carbohydrates and fats. But whatever your endeavor is, here are a few tips that can help.
Make the goal measurable. This helps you to gauge your progress and celebrate the little successes.
You aren’t perfect. You are going to slip up; it’s just a matter of time. Don’t let one failure allow you to give up on your goal; 80 percent is better than zero.
Make sure to set realistic goals. You aren’t going to lose 50 pounds overnight.
Be patient with yourself and don’t expect too much. Being too hard on yourself can inhibit your growth.
Follow these tips and it will help you to make your New Year’s resolutions a success.