Physician Offers Advice on Keeping New Year’s Resolutions

GREENFIELD — As this year comes to a close and the new year begins, many people will make at least one resolution for 2025, and many of those resolutions will involve living a healthier lifestyle.

“A resolution is a decision to do something different,” said Dr. Robert Baldor of Baystate Family Medicine – Greenfield. “The new year is a time for many to reflect on their lives and resolve, or commit, to making a positive change in how they are living on a daily basis. Improving one’s health is the number-one new year’s resolution for most adults.”

To improve health, people often resolve to eat healthier, exercise more, and lose weight — and smokers often try to quit at this time of year.

“Regardless of the resolution, sticking with it is difficult,” said Baldor, who offered some strategies to help people achieve their new year’s goals.

• Keep it simple. While you may want to make several changes, it is best to pick one or two goals to focus on.

• Develop a plan. It is best to have an idea of how you intend to meet your goals and write each down.

• Keep the goal statement visible. Keep it posted where you can see it often, like on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror, as a daily reminder.

• If you keep a calendar, add regular reminders to your schedule. Change is difficult, and we all often fall back on old routines and habits. The key to success is to make the change a new daily habit and, of course, work hard to stick to it.

• Engage a supportive ally. This could be a family member or a friend. Talk with them ahead of time about what you will find helpful. Would you like them to join you on a daily walk? Text you every other day with a reminder? What works for you?

• Think back to changes you have made in the past. What helped you be successful? Can you use those strategies again? Try to remember what barriers you faced and make a plan to overcome them if they resurface.

“If you tried and failed in the past, be honest with yourself about why,” Baldor said. “What can you do on this new journey to avoid those mistakes?”

He added that people should recognize that change is difficult. As most people work on their resolutions, there will likely be times when they slip up, and that is normal and OK. Do not take it as a sign of defeat.

“Tell yourself you are making progress, and while you may have lost the battle today, tomorrow is another day,” he said. “Then, you can continue on your journey to health and wellness.”