Hands up if you're seriously feeling the January blues? Let us try to change that! View January as a total fresh start - a time to get back into routine and learn new things. We understand it can be hard to kick food habits when you've thoroughly enjoyed yourself in December, so we're here to help you make achievable new years' resolutions, and stick to them.
Did you know that only about 8% of people stick to their resolutions?
So this year, exante are here to help. We've put together our top tips for making resolutions and sticking to them.
1. Make a plan!
Instead of making solely resolutions, make a plan. Decide HOW you are going to do something as opposed to simply stating you are going to do it and then feeling like you've failed when you didn't. If weight loss is your new year's resolution, come up with a plan to do that. That way if things don't go 'to plan', you will feel more in control fixing it rather than feel like you've entirely broken a resolution. Try the 2 or 4 week diet boxes to kickstart your weight loss plan. Find the best-selling shakes, soups, breakfasts, meals & more, plus a shaker to get you going.
2. Start small
There's a reason the saying "Rome wasn't built in a day" exists and it really does apply when it comes to making new year's resolutions. It's very tempting to try an 'all or nothing' approach when it comes to resolutions. Want to get fit? Don't go out running 6 days a week as it'll likely last all of a week or two. Start small and try to exercise 2-3 days a week and build it up from there.
3. Don't make it difficult
When it come's to resolutions, one of the reasons many people struggle to stick to them is that they don't make them realistic. Help yourself by making things easier. Joining a gym? Join one close to work or home so you have less excuse to not go. Looking to eat healthier? Stock the fridge with fruits and veggies and get rid of any chocolate or lurking packs of biscuits (and we don't mean eat them!).
4. Track your progress
Keeping yourself accountable will make you more likely to stick to your resolutions. Whether it's a food diary if you're looking to lose weight, a journal if you're trying to keep on top of a new exercise regime or even a calendar you can mark off the days that you have achieved. Whatever your resolution is, seeing your results in front of you, in writing, will help you stick to them.
5. Be kind to yourself
It's hard enough that the mornings are darker, the evenings are darker and we're still bloated from too many mince pies, but it is important to remember, you're doing your best! Sticking to your new year's resolution takes willpower and dedication, but it also takes a little bit of self-compassion. You might fall off the wagon, you might not always entirely stick to them, but the fact that you're trying to achieve something different to last year is pretty great!
So enjoy 2023, set your resolutions and remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint! And if you are like the other 99% of the population looking to lose weight this new year, then have a look at what exante can do to help you reach your goals this year.
