Broken New Year’s resolutions?

Back on track

Confession time: How many of you have already broken your New Year’s resolutions?

It’s ok, it’s just me–be honest. I won’t judge, because if you’re anything like many other Americans, by the time you read this, you will have already stopped going to the gym, given up on eliminating sugar, started smoking again, or resumed whatever unhealthy part of your life you wanted to change. Statistics show that by the second week of January, nearly a third of people who made resolutions have slipped up.

If you’re one of them, don’t feel bad. You’re only human! And behaviors like eating sugar and refined carbs, smoking, vegging in front of the TV, etc. are practically instinctual for many people–which makes them the hardest to correct.

What most people fail to realize when they make resolutions is that real, lasting change is a process–and it usually takes more than one attempt. That’s okay.

What’s not okay is giving up entirely.

I had this very conversation with a patient the other day. She was dreading coming in to see me because she’d strayed from the New Hamptons Health Miracle program over the holidays. I reassured her that I’m not here to be the diet police…I’m here to help her–and you–reach your goals. And dealing with slip-ups is a major part of that.

No one is perfect and no one stays on-plan all the time. Even I stray occasionally. But in order to be successful–and to be truly healthy–you have to make a conscious effort to get back on track.

Keep trying and one day it will stick. I’m living proof of it–and so are hundreds of my patients. And you can be, too.

If you’ve had a hard time sticking to your resolution, now is the time to renew your commitment.