Tips on setting reasonable resolutions

Somehow, sometime in the past someone came up with the idea of New Year’s resolutions. Most of us have made these, and all of us have had the universal problem of not sticking to these resolutions. And we know when we can’t stick with a game plan, we lose our resolve to complete desired goals.

Have you . . . in the past?


Decided to lose weight?
Save more money?
Attend church regularly?
Look at life more positively?


Before you make a single resolution for 2001 and become discouraged about the prospects of keeping it, here are several variables to keep in mind.

You should:

• Set the new goals and resolutions realistically.

It is neither realistic nor healthy to decide to lose 20 pounds in one month. But it is realistic to decide on a weight reduction and exercise plan which may take more time, but which will ensure keeping the weight down after it is lost. Resolve to change your eating habits and lifestyle. Use common sense in beginning an exercise regime.

• Do not try to change too many things at the same time.

Many resolutions and decisions have gone by the wayside because too many changes were attempted at the same time. For example, deciding to quit smoking is a very worthy goal, but one which requires a lot of determination and effort. A person attempting this resolution should concentrate on breaking the smoking habit. They should not resolve to resume an education, change careers or make other major changes at the same time.

• Establish a support system.

If you have decided on a weight and exercise program, try to find friends that will start the program with you. Mutual encouragement and a spirit of camaraderie will keep your mind on the task. Even a return to college is easier if you have a friend to study with. Certainly aerobics are more fun with a friend beside you.

• Keep visual incentives around you.

To change any behavior or to keep any resolution, brightly colored stickers around the house, on the medicine cabinet, the refrigerator or telephone are eye contact reminders. If you have made a resolution to learn to relax, a sticker on the office desk or on the car steering wheel will signal it’s time to relax those tense muscles. Eventually relaxing will become part of your lifestyle and the stickers can be discarded.

• Check up on yourself frequently.

Balance your resolution checkbook as frequently as you add and subtract in your bank book. Give yourself a plus for attending church services, for seeing the value in everyday experiences, and for accepting challenges positively instead of negatively. Put in a minus or two when you don’t think you measure up.

Resolutions for positive change can be one way of improving our lives. But one should never give up trying to change, even if we are not completely successful each year.

Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 2000