Weak Willpower and the New Year’s Resolution

It’s that time of year again – New Year’s Resolutions are in full swing. The two most popular resolutions are “Lose Weight” and ‘Reduce Stress” and their related permutations (get in shape, simplify your life, etc). Unfortunately, research tells us that about 88% of us will FAIL in achieving our resolutions. Why?

There are lots of reasons why we might “fall off” our promises to do X, Y, or Z in the New Year. Some of these reasons are touched on in a recent article I was interviewed for in Reuters News Service. This article was picked up by media outlets across North America, including publications in the United States, Canada, and Mexico as well as several outlets in India and the UK. It seems that people around the globe need help sticking to their New Year resolutions.

Read the article at this link (http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BR0YO20091228)

As you’ll see in the Reuters article, you can increase your chances for success with a few very simple steps. We didn’t have enough space in the Reuters article to cover all of my tips – so here they are here in a bit more detail – I call them the “Five B’s”

1. Beneficial
2. Buddy
3. Blog
4. Brain
5. Biochemical Balance

Beneficial

Keep it positive. Don’t make a resolution to “stop doing X” because it will remind you everyday (or several times a day) of a “negative” that will slowly sap your enthusiasm for your goal. Instead of promising to “stop eating junk food” – try a more positive declaration, such as “choose 3 healthful snacks everyday” to help you remain in a positive frame of mind.

Buddy

If there is one thing that you can do to improve your odds of success in sticking to your resolution, it is to make a pact with a friend, family member, co-worker – or anybody who can help to keep you focused on the reasons you set the goal in the first place. The best buddy in this endeavor is someone who can “feel your pain” (not just a person to nag you) – so if you’re trying to lose weight in 2010, then you should “buddy up” with someone who has the same goal. This way, you and your buddy are both in the same boat – and you can help each other to stick to your plan. A number of research studies show that setting goals with a buddy can almost triple success rates.

Blog

You’re reading this blog (thanks) – so now it’s time to start your own – but one with a very specific purpose. At the end of every day, take a few minutes to write down 3 things that you did toward achieving your resolution goal. Even if you did ten things that took you further away from your goal – you want to use this blogging/journal exercise to focus on the positive steps that you’re taking everyday. Research from the field of Positive Psychology shows us that the simple act of keeping a daily journal is “self-perpetuating” because it helps us realize the positive choices that we are making – and encourages us to continue these positive behaviors on subsequent days. The blog need not be long or well-written or published to the world on the Internet – it just needs to be a daily exercise between you and yourself.

Be sure to check out my blog entry next week when I go over the last two B’s!

Dr. Talbott received his Master's degree in Exercise Science from the University of Massachusetts, his Ph.D. in Nutritional Biochemistry from Rutgers University, and is a graduate of the Entrepreneurial Masters Program from the Sloan School of Business. Dr. Talbott has published over 200 articles and 7 books on nutrition, health and fitness. He has served as a nutrition consultant and educator for elite-level athletes in a variety of sports, including professional triathlon, the NBA, the US Ski and Snowboard Association, the Performance Enhancement Team for USTFA, and US Olympic Training Centers. Website: http://shawntalbott.com

2 Responses to “Weak Willpower and the New Year’s Resolution”

1. Suzan McNally says:

   01/08/2010 at 5:42 pm

   Great article…I like so many others gained weight over the holidays. I have CMT so it is really important that I keep myself in good shape. I am going to nstart weight training on Monday and am wondering how much I can do without causing more harm to my body. I wear helios braces on both feet up to my knees. Thanks so much.
2. Becoming the Successful Resolution Achiever | Eleviv - Feel Great Again says:

   01/18/2010 at 10:12 am

   [...] Last week, I introduced the 5 Bs to increase your chances for success with your New Year’s Resolutions. [...]