New Year’s Resolutions
3…2…1! Happy New Year! With the first two weeks of 2017 behind us, how are you doing on your resolutions? Still going strong? Starting to waiver a bit? Forget to even start? Unless you are one of those rare individuals with an unlimited amount of motivation and discipline, sticking to your resolutions may be a daunting task. To obtain health and happiness this year, here are some creative ideas to help you see your 2017 resolutions through to 2018.
1. FIRST THINGS FIRST
If part of your resolution is an action, do it first thing in the morning (even if it means waking up a little early to do it). For example, if you plan to start working out, it is much easier to do it first thing in the morning instead of waiting until the end of the day. After a long hard day at work or taking care of the kids, the last thing you will want to do is to hit the gym.
Completing your task first thing in the morning also helps you to avoid the effects of ego depletion. Ego depletion is the idea that we have a limited amount of willpower or self-control to draw upon and it’s diminished throughout the day (hence why infomercials are so effective at 11:00pm)! So throw on that spandex as the sun rises and get moving!
2. SET AN ALARM
It won’t happen if you don’t make a time for it to happen. To help remind you, set an alarm to complete your resolution every day. This works great for those resolutions that are quick actions or tasks that require minimal time to complete. For example, if you have jumped onto one of the every-so-popular Pinterest 30 day challenges (30 sit-ups in 30 days, 30 push-ups, etc.), set an alarm on your phone for a time when you know you will normally be free (first thing in the morning, after dinner, after the kids are in bed). Starting with a small daily goal can often snowball into larger changes and encourage other healthy behaviors!
3. USE A PICTURE CHALLENGE
Who knew your phone and a friend could keep you accountable? The picture challenge is a fun (and slightly competitive) game to keep you on the right track this year. Find someone to “challenge” with a goal for the year. For example, your friend may need to hit the gym and you may have the popular goal of keeping your dining room table clean (seriously, where does all that clutter come from?!?). At random, each player can request a picture of the goal in action (a selfie at the gym or a clean table). The challenged player then has 24 hours to send picture proof to the challenger. If time runs out without a picture, the challenger wins points or a small prize for that round. *Make sure to include specifics in the challenge (ex. “gym selfie in a purple shirt”) to make sure the other player does not have stockpiled “proof”. Keep the game interesting all year by changing the prizes or adding a grand prize!
4. WRITE THE FUTURE
There is a reason that we set resolutions or goals for the new year. By accomplishing these things, we are bettering our lives and creating change in areas that are important to us. This exercise requires putting pencil to paper. Do not just think about it, but actually write it down! To help find the motivation to achieve your goal, write how sticking to the resolution will change every aspect of your life. Picture January 2018…How will losing that extra weight affect your life? Will your health improve? Will you be able to fit into clothes like you used to? Will you have more energy to do things with the people you love? Will you have more money from eating home cooked meals instead of fast food?
Most importantly, write it using present tense, “I am at a healthy weight. I am able to fit into that dress I love. I have the energy to run around with my kids. I feel strong.” Post your vision somewhere you see it every day (but move it every week so it does not eventually blend into the background).
5. CELEBRATE
In a society that thrives on instant gratification, it can be hard when we do not see immediate results. It can be discouraging when we feel that we have worked so hard and that is why it is important to celebrate small achievements within the larger goal. Break down the larger goal into smaller success markers and place rewards for each level achieved (like a relaxing facial). Or perhaps more motivating to some, place a punishment until the level is met (ex. Limit screen time, take away credit card, etc.).
Best Wishes for 2017,
Heidi Ramirez
Owner/ Licensed Advanced Esthetician
Heidi@StudioHpsc.com
3…2…1! Happy New Year! With the first two weeks of 2017 behind us, how are you doing on your resolutions? Still going strong? Starting to waiver a bit? Forget to even start? Unless you are one of those rare individuals with an unlimited amount of motivation and discipline, sticking to your resolutions may be a daunting task. To obtain health and happiness this year, here are some creative ideas to help you see your 2017 resolutions through to 2018.
1. FIRST THINGS FIRST
If part of your resolution is an action, do it first thing in the morning (even if it means waking up a little early to do it). For example, if you plan to start working out, it is much easier to do it first thing in the morning instead of waiting until the end of the day. After a long hard day at work or taking care of the kids, the last thing you will want to do is to hit the gym.
Completing your task first thing in the morning also helps you to avoid the effects of ego depletion. Ego depletion is the idea that we have a limited amount of willpower or self-control to draw upon and it’s diminished throughout the day (hence why infomercials are so effective at 11:00pm)! So throw on that spandex as the sun rises and get moving!
2. SET AN ALARM
It won’t happen if you don’t make a time for it to happen. To help remind you, set an alarm to complete your resolution every day. This works great for those resolutions that are quick actions or tasks that require minimal time to complete. For example, if you have jumped onto one of the every-so-popular Pinterest 30 day challenges (30 sit-ups in 30 days, 30 push-ups, etc.), set an alarm on your phone for a time when you know you will normally be free (first thing in the morning, after dinner, after the kids are in bed). Starting with a small daily goal can often snowball into larger changes and encourage other healthy behaviors!
3. USE A PICTURE CHALLENGE
Who knew your phone and a friend could keep you accountable? The picture challenge is a fun (and slightly competitive) game to keep you on the right track this year. Find someone to “challenge” with a goal for the year. For example, your friend may need to hit the gym and you may have the popular goal of keeping your dining room table clean (seriously, where does all that clutter come from?!?). At random, each player can request a picture of the goal in action (a selfie at the gym or a clean table). The challenged player then has 24 hours to send picture proof to the challenger. If time runs out without a picture, the challenger wins points or a small prize for that round. *Make sure to include specifics in the challenge (ex. “gym selfie in a purple shirt”) to make sure the other player does not have stockpiled “proof”. Keep the game interesting all year by changing the prizes or adding a grand prize!
4. WRITE THE FUTURE
There is a reason that we set resolutions or goals for the new year. By accomplishing these things, we are bettering our lives and creating change in areas that are important to us. This exercise requires putting pencil to paper. Do not just think about it, but actually write it down! To help find the motivation to achieve your goal, write how sticking to the resolution will change every aspect of your life. Picture January 2018…How will losing that extra weight affect your life? Will your health improve? Will you be able to fit into clothes like you used to? Will you have more energy to do things with the people you love? Will you have more money from eating home cooked meals instead of fast food?
Most importantly, write it using present tense, “I am at a healthy weight. I am able to fit into that dress I love. I have the energy to run around with my kids. I feel strong.” Post your vision somewhere you see it every day (but move it every week so it does not eventually blend into the background).
5. CELEBRATE
In a society that thrives on instant gratification, it can be hard when we do not see immediate results. It can be discouraging when we feel that we have worked so hard and that is why it is important to celebrate small achievements within the larger goal. Break down the larger goal into smaller success markers and place rewards for each level achieved (like a relaxing facial). Or perhaps more motivating to some, place a punishment until the level is met (ex. Limit screen time, take away credit card, etc.).
Best Wishes for 2017,
Heidi Ramirez
Owner/ Licensed Advanced Esthetician
Heidi@StudioHpsc.com