The new year presents an opportunity for a fresh start and is a perfect time to initiate desired changes in your life. Many of us set resolutions for what we want to change in the year ahead. But did you know that only a small percentage succeed? Even people who are really determined and start off strong rarely make it more than a month before they revert to old habits. Has this happened to you? If so, please know, there's nothing wrong with you. You're wired for habit.

The good news is that with a little help you can rewire yourself to make the changes you want and make them stick. Roland and Bobby discuss why it happens and how to rearrange your thinking to make it work this time! Come set yourself up to make 2023 your best year yet!

Some tips to make sure this year's resolutions become a reality:

1. Start with Small Goals You may be feeling motivated and excited about your goal in the beginning, but don’t let your ambition lead you to unattainable levels. Burn out comes quickly if you don't acclimate yourself. If you want to try a new activity, don’t commit yourself to 5 times a week – start slowly and consistently so that your body and mind become used to it, and then build from there. Giving yourself the ability to meet your goal in small steps can help you avoid discouragement along the way.

2. Make it Measurable For your goal to be attainable, it’s important that you make it specific and measurable. For example, if you want to exercise more, set the amount of time to something like: 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week; or if you want to lose weight, make sure you know exactly what healthy weight figure you want to achieve. By assigning a measurement, you are specifying what goal success looks like. To help you keep track of your progress, you can use an activity tracker like MyFitnessPal so you can log your food intake and exercise. The free version of MyFitnessPal is an excellent tool to help you start your fitness journey.

3. Be Realistic Set your goals according to your lifestyle and with what you will be able to achieve, otherwise you might lose your motivation. In other words, start where you are. Build stamina and strength slowly and you will be less prone to injury. Be honest to yourself and be sure to consider the resources and time you have available to help you meet your goals.

4. Make a Plan Even if you know what you want to accomplish, make sure you also determine the when, where, and why of the vision of a future you. Establish an action plan and set yourself on the right path to achieve your goal.

5. Stay Positive It can be difficult to make changes in your life but focusing on the negative side will only discourage you. Try not to think about how tired you will feel after a session at the gym, or how much stress it may cause you if you stop smoking. Instead believe in your goal and try to constantly remind yourself of the benefits and the impact it will have on your life. Focusing on the positives will help you stick to your resolution and make it happen.

See you next week!