So it is almost March; it has been 3 months since the New Year began. How is it going with your New Year’s resolution? Have you lost that 20 pounds? Did you pay down your debt? Are your gym shoes worn down to the soles or do they still have that new sneaker smell? Did you put down that SunDrop soda or are you back to restocking your refrigerator with them?
If statistics are true than chances are that your New Year’s resolution is probably not going well. According to most polls, over 90% of people who make New Year’s resolutions fail to stick with them past 3 months. The question is why?
Is it because most people are just plain lazy and unmotivated? Perhaps people forget just how precious their health and life is?
I think the real reason that most people fail is because they simply do not know how to go about successfully completing a resolution.
The good news here is that researchers have been studying behavior change for decades and they have come up with some fundamental concepts to help people succeed. One of these fundamental concepts is what they have coined “Shrink the Change”. This simply implies that you need to break up your large goal, into many smaller more attainable goals. Perhaps you have heard the phrase “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”
As an example, if losing 20 – 30 pounds was your New Year’s resolution. Don’t start out by completely changing your current diet for an all organic, non-GMO vegetarian diet & going to the gym for 1 hour each day.
Instead, begin by looking at your current diet and replace the 1 worst item that you consume with one healthy alternative. For example, if you eat carb loaded cereals each morning for breakfast, replace that junk with eggs or a healthy protein shake. Then go out and purchase a food diary or download an app and write down the change that you are making. Writing things down helps you to better stick to your plan. Or even better than this would be to document your daily changes on Facebook. There you have an instant cheering section and audience who will help you to succeed.
Once you have replaced your breakfast meal and your fan base is cheering you on, you can then tackle the 2nd worst item that you consume. Replace that item with a healthy alternative and let your Facebook followers know. Then shoot for losing 2 pounds a week instead of 30 pounds all at once.
You see, human beings are motivated by a sense of progress, and we make faster progress when we experience a frequent sense of achievement. This concept works in all aspects of our life and for all people no matter their goals.
If you are looking to improve your health this year, then your first, and most important, action step would be to call the office at Stanly Wellness Center at 980-355-7600.
At Stanly Wellness Center, we are eager and ready to help you and your families achieve the best health possible. If you are looking for help with your health or you know of someone who is suffering with poor health, call the office of Stanly Wellness Center at 980-355-7600 and schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation with Dr. Patrick Ess to see how he can help. Dr. Ess will not waste your time or money. He will let you know if he can help you, and if he can’t, who in the community can.
Our office specializes in nutrition, detoxification and neurological correction. You can also refer to our website at www.AskDrPatrick.com for more information. We accept most major health insurances including BCBS, Aetna, Humana, UHC, Medicaid and Medicare.
Stanly Wellness Center is located right on Main St (24/27) in Locust and is situated next door to the Locust Post Office and the Dollar General across the street from the Wells Fargo Bank.
