Proven Tips to Keep Your New Year's Resolutions

As the year draws to an end, many people are already working on their New Year's resolutions. Unfortunately, reserach from Statistics Brain shows that while 45% of Americans make these goals every year, only 8% follow through on their resolutions. Don't want to become just another statistic? Here are seven tips to help you meet your goals in 2026.

Understand the Reasons

Health coaches believe that one of the best ways to stick to your resolutions is to understand the full reason behind the goal. This means clearly defining how making the change will be beneficial. For example, rather than just saying you want to lose weight, frame your thinking to articulate that you want to lose weight to improve your heart health and lower your cholesterol. Focusing on the more specific reasons behind the resolution will increase your motivation and keep you on track when compared to vague goals.

Be Specific in Your Resolutions

In addition to defining the "why" of your resolution, be sure to be articulate about the specificity of the goal. Going back to the classic weight loss resolution, you are likely to be more successful if you are specific about this goal. For example, this could be making it a goal to lose five pounds each month. Or rather than focusing on the numbers, break the resolution down into precise behaviors. This could be cutting out sugar or going to the gym three times per week. By making your specific resolutions achievable, you will be further motivated to stick with them.

Lean on Help

Studies have shown that announcing your New Year's resolutions to friends and family tends to lead to greater success. The simple act of verbalizing the goals sends the message that you are serious about making a change. Revealing your resolutions to those around you will also generate support. You can take this one step further by rounding up some accountability partners. Find an exercise buddy who is committed to meeting you at the gym so that you are less likely to back out at the last minute. This support system will naturally set you up to succeed more than if you were going at it alone.

Reward Milestones

It is much easier to stay on top of your resolutions if you have a reward waiting for you. Start small so that you do not become overwhelmed. Making the chore or task more palatable will inherently encourage you not to abandon your goals. For example, you are more likely to stick with an exercise routine if you know that you can indulge in a delicious meal once you meet specific milestones.

Make Your Resolution a Habit

Scientists have long touted the benefits of establishing daily habits when looking to make long-term changes to your behavior. Keep in mind that it will take time to establish the new behavior as a habit. However, once it is a firm habit, it is much easier to follow through on the action. You will soon find that you are not even thinking about it once the action is ingrained into your everyday routine.

Track Your Progress

It is far more tempting to back out of a resolution if you are not tracking it. Many people shy away from tracking their progress because they do not want to see failure in writing. However, studies have shown that resolutioners who record their results in real time are more successful in meeting their goals. When it comes to losing weight or eating healthier, there is no shortage of valuable apps that will help track progress. Other people report great satisfaction and encouragement in the simple act of crossing off a task once completed.

Give Yourself Grace

It is easy to get discouraged on your resolution journey. The key to sticking to these goals is to give yourself grace when you slip up. Just because you miss a workout one day, it does not mean that you need to abandon your resolution completely. Rather than giving up on your goals, remember that tomorrow is a new day. Do not take the all-or-nothing approach. Instead, permit yourself to slip up from time to time, knowing that it is what you accomplish over the course of the year that is the most important.

It is easy to start strong with your resolutions at the start of the new year. The real challenge comes weeks and months down the road. By following these seven proven tips, you are more likely to still be chugging along and making progress by the spring.

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