How to Make Lasting Resolutions & Goals for 2023

Mar 1

What would it look like if you were able to stick to your New Year’s Resolutions all year in 2023? We often think we have to make big changes to see the results we want. This may work in the short term, but is often hard to keep up during the year. Maybe it’s time to look at things differently to increase success.

Here are some tips to make your goals more attainable this year:

Start small with your goal by committing to do something today to work towards it. If you plan to go to the gym daily when you don’t have a membership yet, it can be daunting to commit to this amount of time. The first steps of this goal might be researching facilities, then purchasing a membership, then signing up for a class. Breaking down goals into tasks to work up to a consistent routine will increase the likelihood of sustainability and success.
Setting goals that are sustainable, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART) set you up for success. A goal to “eat more vegetables” is difficult to keep track of. If you make the goal, “I will add frozen vegetables to my dinner meals 3 nights per week for the next month”, it becomes specific and easy to measure. This also helps create a plan... you know to add frozen vegetables to your grocery list each week to set yourself up for success.
Make goals fun! Try something new - a new workout class, a different meditation app, a new recipe from a different cuisine, etc. This may sound obvious, but making goals intriguing will make you more likely to follow through with them.
Don’t neglect self-care. Never underestimate the importance of proper sleep, stress management, and work-life balance, as these have a profound impact on overall health and the ability to achieve goals in other areas.
If you have multiple areas/goals you want to work on, choose to make that the focus for 1-2 months of the year. Remember you can start any time, you do not have to wait for a new year or a new week!
Reward small wins as they happen. Don’t wait to be proud of yourself when you achieve a goal - recognizing success throughout the process will help you stay motivated to continue.
When life inevitably gets in the way, know that adjusting goals is part of the process. Give yourself the grace that you are still pushing forward with your goals even if the pace is slower than you anticipated. Progress is what to strive for, not perfection!

By following these tips, your goals around January 1st or any time of the year can be easier to stick to. If you want support with your nutrition-related goals this year, book an appointment with a dietitian at Lemond Nutrition for guidance!