Plymouth Magazine: What’s the secret to making a good New Year’s Resolution?
The Beasleys: Be specific: Vague goals lead to vague plans, then they disappear. Identify a source of dissatisfaction with the state of your life. Evaluate why you are dissatisfied, then visualize where you’d like to be instead. Make a plan to get to the state you visualized. This plan must be realistic, specific and measureable.
Dr. Wock: Any resolution should help the individual create a healthy lifestyle habit that becomes part of an everyday routine. Start by making small changes over time; too much change all at once can be overwhelming. Try planning a calendar and penciling in when to make changes. Three changes at a time are usually doable. Figure out what changes are right for you; avoid “trendy” goals.
PM: How do you make sure you stick to a New Year’s Resolution?
The Beasleys: Persistent action is the only way to achieve goals. Expect, predict and plan for obstacles before you encounter them. It never hurts to have a friend or coach around to encourage you!
Dr. Wock: Create variation. Mixing things up will keep both your mind and body interested, maximizing your results. Embrace the time of year, get ideas from friends or trainers, cook with in-season foods. Having someone to keep you accountable will also help you stay on track. A really good trainer will help you understand your goals and how to achieve them.
