Give your New Year's resolution a boost of "staying power"

At midnight on January 1, you made up your mind: It's a new day, a new year, and a new way of living for you! You resolved to quit smoking, or lose weight, or exercise regularly, or stick to a budget, or spend more time with your family. But by mid-year, or maybe even just a few weeks into the new year, you're back to your old ways. Don't feel bad. You have lots of company. According to www.eDiets.com, a survey of 12,000 people showed that only one in five stays on track for six months or more. So how can you keep your resolutions from falling by the wayside?

Here are five tips to help you stick to your promises:

1. Be specific. Did you make your goal specific and manageable? Let's say you're a "clutter bug," and you resolved to become a "neatnik." Okay now, get real. What are the odds of your making such a huge shift in behavior from one day to the next? Pare down that goal and translate it into specific actions: "I'll dedicate two hours a week to organizing a room at home or a file cabinet in my office." If you're comfortable with the goal, you're already on your way to reaching it.
2. Know why you want to change. Why do you want to de-clutter your surroundings? So you can find what you're looking for without an hour-long search? So you can pay bills on time instead of losing them in stacks of mail? Write it down — and get emotional about it. Create a picture in your mind that will help push you forward: a neat, well-organized desk that helps you work more efficiently. Writing down the reasons and envisioning the results make it easier to stick with your resolution.
3. Take baby steps. You didn't become a binge eater or get hooked on nicotine overnight, so why would you expect to change such behaviors at the stroke of midnight on January 1? Instead of deciding to walk an hour every day — a plan to fail if you're not walking regularly now — make short- and long-term goals: "I'll walk 30 minutes three times a week." Then figure out how much, and how often, you need to increase the small goals to reach the big one. Think big, but start small. Break down your goal into manageable chunks - and conquer one chunk at a time.
4. Announce the news. If you haven't already lined up a support group, do it today. Let your friends and family know of your decision to make a lifestyle change. Ask them to be your cheerleaders and counselors, celebrating your progress and encouraging you when you're on the brink of breaking your resolution. They want you to succeed — so let them help!
5. Use the resources available. If you've decided to kick the habit, get fit, or lose those extra pounds, dozens of resources are "out there" to help you: smoking-cessation classes, exercise programs, gyms and fitness centers, and classes ranging from meditation and yoga to nutrition and healthful cooking. Self-help books abound — order them online or visit your local library.

And remember to visit MyHumana, your password-protected personal home page on www.humana.com. Go to the Savings Center for discounts on health and wellness products or services; visit the Healing Kitchen (under "Health Resources" at the top of MyHumana) for great low-fat recipes and tips on nutrition and weight loss.

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Bottom Line:
Stick with your New Year's resolutions with some planning — to set yourself up to succeed.

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