2014: How to Make Your New Year's Resolution Happen!

Sitting by the fire on this chilly Nebraska day, I am taking stock of my resolution I made last year.  The goal at our house was to eat out less and cook more at home.  I can say, this has been a year that we can say, we did it!  We reduced our weekly trip to a restaurant and went to once or twice a month.  I have to say, it took the whole family to commit to this new habit.  It's important to look back, asses and then determine what you and your family would like to improve on.  The number one subject we American's typically set goals for New Year's Resolutions is related to loosing weight, eating healthy and in general, improving our health.  So, how did we begin this concept of New Year's Resolutions?  The following video will give you  a glimpse of how this tradition of New Year's Resolutions
came to be.

 Take a look at my previous blog on New Years Resolutions dated 12/27/12.  One of the best things suggested was to select one behavior if you are looking at nutrition, exercise or another health related goal.  It has been our experience that the best success is when we are all on board with the selected New Year's Resolution.  A great example was taking pop out of our diet.  It was not successful until everyone decided to take pop off of our menu.  

It's interesting to keep track of resolutions and if they are successful.  Last year our resolution was less eating out, the year before was getting rid of pop.  Both have been successful.  Now if we do go out, our bill is less because we pick water and overall, our health is improving.  Building on change is a great way to improve your families lifestyle and create a lifetime of healthy living.

So, do you have an idea for a New Year's Resolution?  Keeping it simple is the best idea.  Set your goals by using S.M.A.R.T : S=Specific area for improvement.  M=Measurable success A=assignable, who will do what.  R=Realistic, can it be achieved?  Time=When will it be accomplished?  Let's break this down with my last years resolution, the "s" was eating out only twice a month, the "m" yes, we only ate out twice a month and sometimes, we only ate out once, "a" we all did it.  We worked together and planned meals and on the weekends all of us helped in the kitchen, "r" it was realistic, we did it! "t" time related, we got on track and stuck with it all year long.  

New Years Resolutions need not be fleeting bursts of "we have to do this, so here goes" but rather they can be those goals that in ancient times were set by the people to improve the lives of citizens.  Take time before January 1 and make plans with your family for a happier and healthier 2014!

Check out this Flash Mob, exercise can happen even at the mall!