After the fun and excesses of Christmas are over, we set ourselves resolutions to follow in the New Year. These resolutions may help us set positive goals, but sticking to them can be tricky.
These are the resolutions that usually prove the most popular:
1. Lose weight
This resolution always seems like a great idea after indulging in food and drink over the Christmas period. Actually achieving it takes a lot of willpower, especially when it comes to getting up the enthusiasm for going to the gym or for a brisk jog first thing in the morning, when it’s cold and dark.
Tip: Set yourself a specific goal that’s achievable. Say you’ll lose 5lbs or drop a dress/trouser size rather than just ‘lose weight’.
2. Exercise more
Most of us have felt we need to do more exercise at one point or another, but it can be difficult to make a big change in your life to make it happen. Joining a gym is a great idea, but it takes time and money, and it’s not for everyone. Going for longer walks or taking the stairs instead of the lift are ways you can increase exercise without pumping iron in the gym.
Tip: Make exercise fit around your life. If you normally take the bus, trying walking some or all of the distance instead. Or you could do simple exercises at home while watching your favourite programme.
3. Get a new job
We’d all like to earn a bit more or find a job we really enjoy, and the New Year can inspire us to get out and find it. If you want to make a change, take the opportunity focus on what you’d like to do and where you’d like to do it.
Tip: Set yourself a definite and doable plan, such as finding and applying for one job a week.
4. Make a budget and save money
Getting your finances in order is another one that comes up every year, again probably inspired by all the spending over Christmas. Having a handle on your finances can make a big difference when it comes to buying the things you want, as well as saving money, so it’s definitely a resolution worth making.
Tip: Use a budgeting app to make things easy, and if it’s mobile you can keep it up date as you go.
5. Get a new hobby
A new skill or hobby is usually near the top of the list for resolutions, as people want to improve their lifestyles as well as their health. Perhaps a hobby they’ve been meaning to try for a long time, or taking up a sport to get out of the house and meet new people.
Tip: Don’t pick something that means you have to buy a lot of new equipment. You might change your mind!
