You’re once again
feeling motivated to eat better, exercise more, drink less caffeine or
make any number of the positive lifestyle changes you’ve been telling
yourself you want to make. You’ve tried before — probably declaring
another attempt as a New Year’s resolution — but without feeling much
success. Making a lifestyle change is challenging, especially when you
want to transform many things at once. This time, think of it not as a
resolution but as an evolution.

Lifestyle changes are a process
that take time and require support. Once you’re ready to make a change,
the difficult part is committing and following through. So do your
research and make a plan that will prepare you for success. Careful
planning means setting small goals and taking things one step at a time.
Here
are five tips from the American Psychological Association to help you
make lasting, positive lifestyle and behavior changes:
Make a plan that will stick.
Your plan is a map that will guide you on this journey of change. You
can even think of it as an adventure. When making your plan, be
specific. Want to exercise more? Detail the time of day when you can
take walks and how long you’ll walk. Write everything down, and ask
yourself if you’re confident that these activities and goals are
realistic for you. If not, start with smaller steps. Post your plan
where you’ll most often see it as a reminder.
Start small.
After you’ve identified realistic short-term and long-term goals, break
down your goals into small, manageable steps that are specifi cally
defi ned and can be measured. Is your long-term goal to lose 20 pounds
within the next five months? A good weekly goal would be to lose one
pound a week. If you would like to eat healthier, consider as a goal for
the week replacing dessert with a healthier option, like fruit or
yogurt. At the end of the week, you’ll feel successful knowing you met
your goal.
Change one behavior at a time.
Unhealthy behaviors develop over the course of time, so replacing
unhealthy behaviors with healthy ones requires time. Many people run
into problems when they try to change too much too fast. To improve your
success, focus on one goal or change at a time. As new healthy
behaviors become a habit, try to add another goal that works toward the
overall change you’re striving for.
Involve a buddy.
Whether it be a friend, co-worker or family member, someone else on
your journey will keep you motivated and accountable. Perhaps it can be
someone who will go to the gym with you or someone who is also trying to
stop smoking. Talk about what you are doing. Consider joining a support
group. Having someone with whom to share your struggles and successes
makes the work easier and the mission less intimidating.
Ask for support.
Accepting help from those who care about you and will listen
strengthens your resilience and commitment. If you feel overwhelmed or
unable to meet your goals on your own, consider seeking help from a
psychologist. Psychologists are uniquely trained to understand the
connection between the mind and body, as well as the factors that
promote behavior change. Asking for help doesn’t mean a lifetime of
therapy; even just a few sessions can help you examine and set
attainable goals or address the emotional issues that may be getting in
your way.
Making the changes that you want takes time and
commitment, but you can do it. Just remember that no one is perfect. You
will have occasional lapses. Be kind to yourself. When you eat a
brownie or skip the gym, don’t give up. Minor missteps on the road to
your goals are normal and okay. Resolve to recover and get back on
track.