Y Talk: Share the Health by Jay Cattron

Who is making a New Year’s resolution this year?

If you answered yes, does it involve exercising, eating better, losing weight or making healthier life decisions?

If you answered yes again, then you are part of the largest New Year’s resolution group—congratulations. But this also puts you in the largest group of folks who do not stick with this resolution, as it is the number one listed group that fails.

Shocked? My guess is probably not. Most of us have made similar New Year’s resolutions, failed and then made them again the following year, or years.

So why does this group fail? What can you do to make this a lifestyle change, not just a one week wonder change?

Here are some reasons why people fail:

• Created an unobtainable goal
• Made too drastic of a change too quickly
• Did not make a plan on HOW to succeed
• Did not create a support system / did not recruit a person to hold you accountable
• Did not make this resolution with a buddy

Here is how you can set up your success this year:

• Create your long-term goal, but make sure to implement smaller, obtainable goals along the way. You can’t lose 50 pounds if you don’t start with the first 5.
• Some folks need to just quit something cold turkey, I get that, and that may work for you. For those who can’t do things this way, slowly wean yourself away from the bad habit. If you drink five cans of soda a day, knock that down to four and add an extra glass of water. Keep doing this until you are off soda all together. (long term change)
• You need a roadmap of what your year is going to look like month by month. Plan out what you would like to add / change each month and work on that. It takes time to break bad habits, but also time to create good ones. You set yourself up for failure by trying to break all your bad habits at once.
• You are trying to do it alone. For some this works, but for a high percentage (research shows it) you need someone to hold you accountable. This can be a friend, family member or even apps on your phone (though I think people work better).
• Find a buddy who shares your New Year’s resolution. Don’t do it alone! Keep each other accountable! Stick to a schedule and don’t waiver!

Set yourself up for success and Share the Health this season!

-by Jay Cattron, Health & Wellness / Membership Director

P.S. To see how the Y can help (and save you money) check out our Share the Health program.​