Healthy, Manageable New Year's Resolutions

The holiday season is here and that means one thing come January 1, New Year’s resolutions. You have vowed to lose 30 lbs., get to the gym 5 times a week, cut out all the bread and butter, quit smoking, redo the back bedroom and save $150 a week. About a week later, that was all the champagne talking. According to the University of Pennsylvania, a week into the New Year, 77 percent of resolutions are still on track, but after 6 months only 40 percent are still working towards their goals.

The reason most resolutions end up off track by mid-year is the inability to change your behavior, despite adjusting your attitude. The best way to set reasonable resolutions each year is to set doable goals that are broken down into reasonable steps.

• Use your vacation days – According to Expedia.com, the U.S. was ranked the most vacation deprived countries. Don’t save some for a rainy day, use them today. Take a day just to sleep in, read a book, take a yoga class or check out coupon sites for a new kind of adventure. Getting more sleep and planning a vacation will help reduce your stress level.
• Remove your makeup before bed – Don’t wait until you shower the next morning or assume it all came off during your workout. The Art of Dermatology in New York says that powder and chemicals in makeup can clog pores and add to inflammation at night.
• Diet and Fitness – Find a buddy to help you through the transition. Are you competitive, make it a competition. The best thing to keep in mind is to start small and work your way up. You can’t cut out all fat and carbs overnight and you can’t start a 6-day fitness routine in a week. 
• Take a compliment – Women are often caught body shaming themselves or snarking at every little flaw. Try accepting your imperfections as something that makes you unique. If you receive a compliment, say “Thank you” instead of explaining it, analyzing it or being embarrassed by it.

Don’t wait until New Year’s Eve to start thinking about it. Think about what you really want this year. Avoid previous resolutions or rolling with the pack with cliché goals. Most important, tell someone about it. Tell your friends, your family or take the pledge to help build a support system.