It’s the start of a new year, and it’s time for Americans to yet again begin their love-hate relationship with New Year’s resolutions. Be it weight loss, volunteerism or personal improvement, now is the time to hit the ground running (for some, your resolutions might require you to take this literally).
The goals seem quite successful the first week of January, because they are fresh on your mind. Then in February, you must constantly remind yourself of the straining promise you made to yourself just one month ago.
Come July, you might as well forget about it and call it quits. For the most part, that’s the pattern that the majority of people follow when it comes to New Year’s resolutions.
But this year doesn’t have to happen like that. The year 2012 will be special. After all, it’s a leap year and the world is supposed to end in December. This year, take matters into your own hands and see just how long you can make your resolutions last.
If all goes well, you will never have to make said resolutions again because you will incorporate them into your lives until the day you die, right? Right.
According to inquisitr.com, 37.29 percent of people said their goal for the new year was to lose weight and/or get fit. If your resolution falls under this category, McNiff Fitness Center and Powerhouse Gym Group Fitness Instructor Gina Zito provides some tips on how to stay motivated.
“Always have a specific and realistic goal in mind, (e.g ‘I want to lose 1 inch around my waist in one month by doing one hour of cardio at least three times a week and only eating dessert twice a week’),” said Zito.
“Also, make goals public. If you post on Facebook ‘Only 5 pounds away from my ideal weight!’, then you are going to feel more obligated to go through with your commitment, and you will have plenty of emotional support and tips from all your friends by having it on your social network.”
Becoming a better person came in second place, according to the research of mlive.com.
While this may be a vague statement, personal improvement betters oneself as well as society, no matter how small the gesture.
For some, their resolution could be as slight as smiling more at strangers. For others, it could be to spend more time with family and less time stressing about work and school.
“I want to be a better listener and actually engage in meaningful conversation. I feel like it will help me be a better friend,” said freshman Logan Cummings.
The nice thing about New Year’s resolutions is that you can pick up where you left off whenever you want.
If you swore to yourself on Christmas day, after stuffing your face with mashed potatoes and pie, that you were going to run a mile at least three times a week in 2012, it’s not too late. Just because you didn’t run like Forrest Gump on New Years Day doesn’t mean that you still can’t do it tomorrow.
It’s not that people don’t care about New Year’s resolutions, but they often forget or don’t know how to get inspired. If you truly plan on sticking to your resolutions, then the trick is to constantly remind yourself.
Forget Post-It notes on your mirror saying “You’re a shining star” and “You’re the most beautiful girl in the world.”
Do you want to lose weight? Sign up and pay for a workout class. The strict schedule will prompt you not to skip out on classes, and the payment will urge you to get your money’s worth.
Do you want to improve others’ lives, not just your own?
Join the PEACE Volunteer Center. They send out steady updates on ways to get involved in the UT and Tampa Bay community, or make a promise to yourself that is realistic to keep.
Like Nike says: Just Do It, and Yesterday You Said Tomorrow. Live like everyday is New Year’s Eve.
Natalie Hicks can be reached at minaret.arts@gmail.com.