Each year, people worldwide make promises to themselves—resolutions to change their lives. The problem is that just setting a New Year’s resolution won’t do the trick. Without a few more steps!

Somewhere along the line between New Year’s and [insert the date you are reading this here] your resolutions went, let’s say… astray. Life got in the way and you reverted back to your old patterns of behavior.

Now, don’t kick yourself; this is what humans do. We like to sink back into our old ways (we call them “patterns”).

Why?

Because they are comfortable, known, easy and (again) it’s what we do.

So how can we change our behavior so that we can keep those resolutions we set out to achieve at the beginning of the year?

1. Make sure that you PLAN OUT your week. Most people who are on the road to losing weight tend to “wing it” with eating and exercise. They eat when they are “starving”. They expect to exercise “when they get a free moment”. But, that meal comes when you are so hungry you’ll eat a bug. And, that “free moment” never comes, does it? So, you revert back to your old ways. Plan out your eating and exercise schedule.
2. Decide how you will reward yourself when you hit your goal. Maybe, buy that new dress or suit. Or, take a trip! But, have it all ready-to-go and actually reward yourself when you hit it! Without a goal to aim toward, I can guarantee you will flounder.
3. Have no more than THREE resolutions. So many people make a laundry list of resolutions and they get so overwhelmed that they never even start. (Sound familiar?)Here’s a recording called “Three Things”.  I did it a short time ago for a radio station I was on for a spot called Seize the Week. Listen to it. It’s just one minute long.
4. Re-read my book, Get Thin—Be Happy and read the chapter on complacency. You’ll be glad you did!