There are ways to help make your health resolutions stick.
SAN ANTONIO — We are now one week into 2026. For those of us who made New Year’s resolutions, it is go or no go time. And taking care of health is at the top of the list for those looking to make positive changes as the new year is just beginning.
Most of us have big goals when we want to make a lifestyle change. But breaking those goals up into smaller goals can typically make your goals appear attainable, and help you reach that end goal with greater ease. Christopher Eastburn, Teladoc Health, health coach told us, “Resolutions can be hard for people to stick to, mainly because they’re vague. So if we’re actually more specific with our health goals and describing them or even writing them out, we can have a better chance of reaching that intended goal.”
Instead of saying I want to lose weight this year, try making your goal more defined. Such as, I want to lose 10 pounds by cutting out sweet tea, and jogging for 20 minutes three times each week. And use your past goals as a guideline. Eastburn added, “Hindsight is 2020, so looking back and reflecting and goals can help identify patterns, which habits maybe have worked, and which ones didn’t.”
A 2024 Pew Research survey found three in ten Americans report made at least one resolution. And after one month, one out of 8 people say they did not keep any of their resolutions. And four out of every five people say their resolutions concerned their health.
Harvard Health has these tips to help your resolutions stick…Dream big to help inspire others around you. It’ll help you reach your goals too. Committ yourself through a written or verbal promise. Give yourself a reward, but try not to make it food. Understand what areas truly need change. And don’t be afraid to try goals you haven’t reached in the past. Eastburn said, “Also identifying realistic goals based on your lifestyle and motivation. So make those tweaks along the way. See what’s working. See what’s not, tracking your progress.”