Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1066175
Just another bad habit? Resolution-makers try, try again Of the approximately 30-50% of the U.S. population that will make New Year's resolutions, 90% Will fail. By Karen rice nwa Democrat-Gazette It's right around the corner: the dawn of a new year, a fresh start. Many folks in Northwest Arkansas are taking stock of 2018 and resolving to do better going forward. Making personal promises of growth and redemption at the beginning of a new year is a tradition that goes back to ancient times. History.com tells us the Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of each year in order to earn favor and ensure good harvests. Fast forward thousands of years and on January 1, millions still make vows of self-improvement: to go on a diet, exercise more, quit bad habits and generally improve their lives. Depending on what statistics you believe, somewhere between 30% and 50% of the U.S. population make New Year's resolutions. And up to 90% of them fail. A very informal and thoroughly unscientific poll at the You at Your Best office revealed those numbers to be a little different. Just over 25% said they regularly made New Year's resolutions, but more than half of those regular resolution makers have had success keeping them. According to a 2015 Nielsen survey, the most common New Year's resolutions have to do with getting in shape. The International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association says 12 percent of gym memberships are opened in January. The second week of January is one of the busiest times of the year in the fitness industry. Sales of exercise equipment soar. Sadly, treadmills are turned into clothes racks as resolutions go by the wayside. New Year's resolutions to diet may also wobble like so many bowls of Jello when faced with the reality of donuts and drive- throughs. In 2013, a UK food company found that of those who diet regularly, two out of five quit within the first seven days, one out of five last a month, and only 20 percent make it to the three-month mark. So what is it that keeps people making resolutions, even when they may be doomed to failure? One respondent explained "I'm an eternal optimist." Another said "the ones I've kept I'm really super proud of." To make healthy resolutions last longer, the experts say people should recognize that results do not happen overnight and should not be discouraged by slow progress. In addition, when it comes to diet and exercise, they should look at it not as a fast fix, but rather a lifestyle change. Some other tips for succeeding with your New Year's resolutions: - Share your resolution with a third party, it can help you stay motivated - Be specific about your goals. Instead of resolving to "exercise more," create a daily or weekly workout schedule - Start small. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park further away from the store in the parking lot. Gradually work towards larger changes. - Replace your bad habit with something positive: talk a walk instead of eating dessert; grab a magazine or book instead of reaching for your cellphone. - Avoid situations that will tempt you. If you resolve to cut back on alcohol consumption, avoid happy hours and invite guests to your home instead, so that you can control how much alcohol is served - Become accountable. Enlist a friend to exercise with you, or join a class where your absence will be noticed by others. - Explore new fitness technology, like a Fitbit to help you remember to move, or food apps to help you keep track of your calories. 6 | YOU AT YOUR BEST | nwAdg.cOm/YOUATYOURBEST JAnUARY - nEw YEAR'S RESOlUTiOnS | SATURdAY, dEcEmBER 29, 2018