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The New Year is just around the corner and if you are like many of us, you will enter into 2012 with a spark of energy to change something in our life. You are determined that this year will be different from other years. For the first few weeks, your energy and determination hold strong. You then begin to waver. Slowly your New Year's Resolution slips away.

Why does this happen again and again? Resolutions fail because they are promises we make to ourselves, mixed with a desire to change. Making a life change requires more than that. How can we make this year different?

1. Choose a resolution that is right for you.
   Give some thought to what you really want to do and why you want to do it. If you have tried it before and were not successful, ask yourself why. What happened that prevented you from achieving your goal. What do you need to do to change this?
   Be specific with what your resolution is. Rather than saying, "I want to lose 10 pounds", make a resolution to lose 10 pounds by April 15th. If you are a triathlete and want to do your first Ironman, state which one and the date that it will take place. Setting these long tem goals will provide a timeline and give you some direction.
2. Create a plan
   Once you have refined your goal, create a plan. Establishing a plan, with daily goals and steps, will provide a path for you to follow and will make it more likely that will accomplish what you have set out to do.
   If you are trying to lose 10 pounds, how much weight will you lose per week. How do you need to change your diet? What type of exercise will you do? How many days will you exercise per week? How will you fit your exercise program into your work and home life schedule? Don't be afraid to ask for help.
3. Set realistic and specific goals
   A realistic goal must represent an objective you are both willing and able to do. It can be challenging, but it must be within your ability.
   If you are a triathlete and want to do an Ironman, do you have the time to commit to training? Have you completed some other long distance races?
   If you are a runner trying to achieve a PR., is the time you are trying to achieve realistic?
   Specific goals are more likely to be completed than general goals. These can be goals you set each day.
   For athletes, it could be a daily goal that pertains to improving a technique. Each day you will consciously make an effort to focus on that skill and the specific change you need to make. This specific goal should be tied to your overall goal – if you are the runner wanting a PR, improving your technique should help improve your time.
   If you are losing weight, it could be working on changing a behavior. Let's say you are someone who "grazes" in the kitchen when you get home from work. Make a goal that you will not go in the kitchen until you have decided exactly what you are going to eat.
4. Be flexible and ask for help
   Changing is difficult and during your journey, you are likely to face some bumps in the road. Do not be afraid to ask for help.

At OptumHealth Performance we recognize that making changes to achieve goals sometimes comes with difficulties so we offer the services of a certified sports psychologist, coaches and sport nutritionist to help. Contact us at 952-769-2060 to schedule your personal consultation.

Good Luck! May you all be successful with this year's resolution.

For informational purposes only. You should consult an appropriate health care professional to discuss whether the information herein is right for you.

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