5 Tips: How to Keep Your New Year's Resolution

Live Science ^ | 31 December 2008

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Whatever you resolve to do differently in 2009, vow also to develop a strategy to make it happen. Otherwise, expect failure. So says John O'Neill, director of Addiction Services for The Menninger Clinic in Houston.

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In short:
1. When we resolve to change, it needs to come with a strategy to change.
2. Keep resolutions to a minimum.
3. Develop accountability partners.
4. Appreciate the changes you are attempting and reward yourself throughout the process.
5. Studies show stress can kill you, so attend to it.

[Colonial Warrior]

Ok..lemme see.....

[Larry Lucido]

Keep them realistic.

“I resolve to gain no more than 10 pounds this year.”

“I resolve to take the stairs at least three times this year.”

[toomuchcoffee]

And I vow to reward myself with ice cream each time I don’t overeat!

[toomuchcoffee]

And I vow to reward myself with ice cream each time I don’t overeat!

[toomuchcoffee]

And I vow to not double post!

[rhema]

Chuck Norris says, "Make those New Year's resolutions." And you wouldn't want to tick Chuck off, would you.

"A short time back, a friend sent me one of those Chuck Norris Facts that circulate the Internet. It read, "Chuck Norris can eat just one Lay's potato chip." Whoever wrote that fact has not seen me when I am watching a football game at home. I can tear the bag open during the first quarter and ask myself by halftime, "What's this empty bag doing in my hand (while licking the salt from my fingertips)?" I won't even tell you how quick a bowl of ice cream can disappear in the second half!

"I'm a believer in new beginnings. That is why I'm an advocate of New Year's resolutions. Now, before tuning me out about fresh starts, hear me out. The potential to fail is always present. But so is the potential to succeed and soar to the next level. And studies show that our successes actually happen more often than we think.

"A University of Washington survey conducted a number of years ago showed that 63 percent of the people questioned were still keeping their No. 1 resolution after two months. That's great and hope-filled news.

"Whether you want to exercise more, lose weight, stop smoking, cut down on alcohol, make a new spiritual commitment or make new friends, don't ever quit striving to better yourself each and every year.

"Or, as Benjamin Franklin put it, "Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man." If you do, I believe you too will find the power and discipline to eat just one Lay's potato chip! Of course, except during football games!"

[Larry Lucido]

The New Year makes Chuck Norris resolutions.

[A knight without armor]

I have come to take resolutions very seriously. I make one and keep it. I make a specific resolution. To me, lose weight, save money, be a better person, etc., are givens and way to general.

2009 is Don't Eat Out. I chose that because of the money it costs.

Last year I realized it is ok and good to make 6 month, monthly, or even weekly resolutions. I've never heard of that before but it works for me.

[hunter112]

My way to keep them is to not make them. If I need to make a change in my life, I don't need the “odometer effect” of a calendar page to motivate me.

[Hyzenthlay]

My resolutions rarely have anything to do with change, and are therefore pretty easy to keep. For example, this year’s resolution is to build a huge snow fort with my friends.