Top 10 New Years Resolutions

New Year's Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It's a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. Did your New Year resolutions make the top ten list?

1. Spend More Time with Family and Friends
Recent polls show that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. Make plans to meet up with friends for an evening of camaraderie at a favorite restaurant.

2. Fit in Fitness
The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better. Why not make this the time to start getting in shape for a local run/walk, bike tour, or triathlon.

3. Lose Weight
Over 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese by recent studies, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. Read on for tips on how to stick to your weight-loss goals.

4. Quit Smoking
If you have resolved to make this the year that you quit smoking, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. Even if you've tried to quit before and failed, don't let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life!

5. Enjoy Life More
Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of Americans, it is no wonder that "enjoying life more" has become a popular resolution in recent years. It's an important step to a happier and healthier you! Consider taking a yoga class to bring balance to your body, mind and soul. Or just get out and try something new. Take up a new hobby or outdoor activity. Go to a theater performance, or head to the local spa.

6. Quit Drinking
While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change all at once. If you have decided that you want to stop drinking, there is a world of help and support available. There are a number of local treatment-based programs, as well as support groups for families of alcoholics, find one near you.

7. Get out of Debt
Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? Join the millions of Americans who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances. Meet with a financial planner to help you create a plan for success.

8. Learn Something New
Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to a flat tire. Whether you take a course or read a book, you'll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year's resolutions to keep.

9. Help Others
A popular, non-selfish New Year's resolution, volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help. Or if you do not have a lot of time, you could donate the furniture, clothing and other household items that you no longer need, rather than leaving them out by the curb to fill up our landfills.

10. Get Organized
On just about every New Year resolution top ten list, organization can be a very reasonable goal. Whether you want your home organized enough that you can invite someone over on a whim, or your office organized enough that you can find the stapler when you need it. Being more organized is a great way to help reduce stress.


Top 10 ways to Ensure New Years Resolution Success

Did you know that fewer than 10% of people who set New Years' Resolutions actually achieve them? How can you ensure YOUR success? Try using the Top 10 Tips below.

1. Choose Something YOU Really Want
If you don’t even have a clear picture of why you want to do something, or only doing it because someone else wants you to, then there will be motivational problems. Write down all the reasons why getting your behind in gear and getting a handle on your New Year’s resolution will help you.

2. Be Realistic
If you're making the same resolution you make every year but have yet to complete it, take a second look. Is your goal truly obtainable or is this goal something you need to let go of, such as weighing the same as you did back in high school 20 years ago. Perhaps you need to modify it. What purpose is it serving you each year? How will this goal end DIFFERENTLY this year?

3. Educate Yourself
Whether this is a new challenge, or something that you have been unable to accomplish in the past, I think it is safe to say you may need some help to ensure your success. Do some research by checking resources on the Internet, or go the library. Look in the paper, the yellow pages; ask a friend or a family member, the important thing is to explore resources to educate yourself on techniques and skills that assist you in achieving your resolutions.

4. Make a plan
Set specific goals with an end date. Such as I want to drop 2 clothing sizes by April 1st. Then focus on the process of achieving those goals and set mini goals along the way. What do you need to do to drop 2 sizes? How many times a week do you need to workout? What kind of exercises will be best for you at this time? Meet with a trainer and schedule workouts in your planner. How many calories should you be eating? Get a resting metabolic test or speak to a nutritionist. (For more in formation regarding metabolic testing please contact Amy Gilgenbach) Once you have a plan in place, write it down. It's a fact: writing down your goals gives you a higher chance of success.

5. Make it Easy on Yourself
If you know that the darkness and cold of the winter will keep you from going to the gym consistently be creative and try to avoid that obstacle altogether. Work out in front of the TV if that will make it easier. Buy a stationary bike or a treadmill. Use it while reading, playing video games or watching a movie.

6. Commit
Move beyond the land of "good ideas" to the land of true "commitment". Make the decision that you will make time for your goals and DO IT, even if you do not feel like it.

7. Tell People
Let people around you in on your new commitments and goals for the year. But, even better than just letting others in on your "secret" dreams and goals -get some accountability. Meet for lunch once a month with a group that will ask you, "So, how's it going with your goal?" Hire a Coach. Talk to your best friend or partner. Get some support!

8. Focus With Reminders
Once you've got your goals and plan in place, figure out ways to remind yourself. Post your goals on your bathroom mirror or in your car. Some people put reminders in their palm pilots or cell phones. Figure out what works for you.

9. Believe and Visualize
Do you know the story about the group of basketball players who spent one hour visualizing making baskets, while another group actually practiced? The visualizing players had better seasons! So visualize yourself on New Years Eve 2009 with all your goals achieved. What would that look like? How would it feel? Visualize once a day and see the difference it can make in your life.

10. Reward Yourself
Don't forget to reward yourself for achieving success. You have made a significant commitment to do something important and meaningful; be rewarded for your effort. Make a decision of what your reward will be, make it something personal and special. It does not need to be luxurious or expensive, it can be something simple and obtainable like a one-hour massage, or a weekend stay at local hotel that has a pool. Pamper yourself; do not be afraid to treat yourself to a little incentive every month for sticking to your resolution. Use your imagination; make it something that you would not normally treat yourself to, because you earned it.