What’s your resolution?

2022 has finally arrived, and with the new year, comes new resolutions. Millions of people make goals to enter the new year in a positive light and to make positive change, and many people tend to have similar New Year resolutions. 

The most common New Year resolution, based on a survey taken in 2021, is to exercise more and lose weight. Ironically, this resolution is also most quickly broken. According to a study, the second Saturday of February is statistically “Fall Off the Wagon” day, which is the point when the uptick in fast food consumption meets the decline in gym attendance. 

Nonetheless, it is possible to keep up with New Year resolutions. Exercising with a friend, scheduling rest days, setting small targets, and tracking progress are all ways that can help maintain fitness New Year resolutions.

The second most common New Year resolution based on the survey is to save more money. Saving money is a common problem for many reasons, one being that as soon as payday comes around, money is spent. Another reason is that money is spent on items that are of barely any use (and are thrown away at some point). There are many more reasons as to why saving money is difficult, but saving money can be a goal that can benefit for the better.

Setting a budget and looking for ways to reduce cost and make some extra money are tasks that are simple and effective for this New Year’s resolution. Buying and selling clothes or items on apps like Depop, Poshmark, or Mercari can help with making a few extra dollars.

Lastly, the third most common New Year resolution is improving diet. Eating healthy adds to a healthy lifestyle and it has many benefits, but it can be very difficult to keep up with a healthy diet when surrounded by junk food. 

With determination and some basic tips, eating healthy can become a habit and lifestyle that can be achieved. Eating more whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and fish is good for your body as they contain a plethora of nutrients that your body needs to function at an optimal level. Adding whole foods to your diet, like vegetables, can be pretty difficult if they are not eaten regularly, so to start getting into the habit of eating vegetables, start by adding one serving of a favorite vegetable in meals, and then add more as time passes.

Making a New Year resolution allows for a positive and hopeful outlook on the new year, and the positive view of the future tends to motivate action. There is always room for improvement, and something as simple as writing down goals can help to achieve New Year resolutions.