Do New Year's Resolutions pan out?

[bigbobby]

Every year as New Year comes up, I am asked about resolutions at least a couple of times, and I hear about them all the time on television and on the radio. I’m sure everyone else does, too. But what I’m wondering is if these things actually work. The reason is that I often hear about resolutions failing or people giving up on them. I don’t know if I just hear about those ones because they’re the ones people talk about or whether resolutions for new year just don’t work.

Has anyone ever followed one through?

[suzie]

That all depends on the individual. You might be able to stick to your resolution and follow it all the way through or you might lose interest in it even before January has come to an end. You need to be determined for reasons other than just the new year. You have to have concrete reasons for losing weight, quitting smoking, or whatever other challenge you want to take on.

[sarah]

You can make a new year's resolution work if you choose a diet that you'll be able to keep up, where you won't need a tremendous amount of motivation. YOu'll still need motivation but if it's not exceptionally restrictive, you'll be able to keep up with it.

[madscientist]

I know that I'm only 4 days in but so far I'm doing great on mine. I'm determined to stick to my diet with more dedication. I had let it slide for the last part of last year. now I'm determined to get it going again and a major part of that is going to be not drinking any soft drinks anymore. No soda at all, including just club soda.

Any time I feel inclined to drink it, I'm going to have a glass of water (with or without a wedge of lemon). That should help to hack back my daily calories pretty good.

[Paplo]

I think that statistically, most of them don't work. But at the same time, statistically, most diets fail and statistically most people who try to quit smoking won't get it on their first try.

This means that it isn't impossible, but if you want it to actually work, you'll need to beat the odds. I have entered into a group resolution with my department at work. That should help us to all stay motivated so we can keep going with it. When I know other people will know if I lost weight every week, I'm less likely to go for the chips or donuts.

[Tiff]

I don't know if they usually work or not but I do wish everyone a happy new year and if you ahve resolved to lose weight, then I wish you all the luck in the world!

[tara]

They can work. In fact, it was just the kick in the pants that my roommate needed in order to get him to quit smoking. It has been 11 days and he hasn't smoked one cigarette. It is a matter of your own personal determination, but this can present a reminder that it's time to make yourself better and dedicate yourself to it!

[tammybear]

Whether or not you succeed at a diet or whatever you resolve to do has nothing to do with whether or not it is a new year's resolution. It's your level of dedication and how much you're willing to apply yourself that matters.

[bonniekins]

sure they can work! You just have to do them as a part of a group to make sure that your motivation stays high :)

[bhollytba]

Have you ever listened to Zig Ziglar? He's terrific for weight loss motivation if you listen to his attitude/success recordings!

At one point he discusses New Years Resolutions. He says most people make "New years wishes" which will get them nowhere, but a New Years resolution can be made any day of the year as long as you're resolved.

I think it's a good point. I personally forget my so-called "New years resolution" by about mid-march, after having long given up. Yet, there are plans and goals I have set at other times that are still holding true months later.

Maybe it's that we think we HAVE to have a "new years resolution" (a social norm) so we grasp at a fantastic and half thought out idea that we fail to realize. The concept is a good one, but the RESOLUTION part (regardless of the date) is the part that really matters.