As you welcome the new year, it can be tempting to create an ambitious New Year’s resolution accompanied by a life-changing schedule. Common declarations might include:

- “I’m going to stop eating all carbs.”
- “I’m going to eliminate all fat from my diet.”
- “I’m going to go to the gym every day at 5 a.m. and run five miles.”
- “I’m going to climb Mt. Everest.”

These are all admirable plans, and the motivation is strong in early January. However, sustaining such resolutions can be challenging, and many people find themselves abandoning their goals before Valentine’s Day. If you fall into this category, know that you are not alone.

According to U.S. News & World Report, 80 percent of people fail to keep their New Year’s resolutions. There are many factors contributing to this disappointing statistic, but it often starts with our unreasonable expectations regarding lifestyle changes. It’s not easy to suddenly eliminate habits that we have followed for years.

The good news is that adjusting those expectations can significantly improve your chances of success and contribute to your long-term health. Making small changes and sticking with them can have a more lasting positive impact on wellness than attempting too many changes at once and failing at all of them.

A new trend in resolutions is to replace them with achievable goals. Like anything else, determining your desired end result first, and then outlining measurable steps to achieve it, can enhance your likelihood of success.

Here are five ways to be successful with your wellness goals for 2025:

1. Focus Factor: Avoid trying to change everything at once. Completely overhauling your habits in one day rarely works. Instead, choose a single objective to focus on. If you can successfully achieve that goal every day for seven days, your chances of long-term success are significantly increased.

2. Make a Plan: While it’s exciting to purchase new running shoes in January, that alone does not create a plan to complete a marathon. Develop a realistic activity schedule that you can follow without major lifestyle changes, and concentrate on checking off those tasks every week. If you aim to run a big race but haven’t exercised since 2022, start with something manageable, like walking three times a week for 30 minutes.

3. The Power of Recalibration: Sometimes, unexpected events may hinder your progress toward your goal. Whether you sprain your ankle or catch a cold, find a way to overcome these setbacks. Instead of letting these challenges derail your efforts, simply recalibrate and get back on track. Just as a GPS recalculates a route when you miss a turn, you can do the same when life throws you off course.

4. Celebrate Little Wins: If your goal is to lose 50 pounds, losing just one pound in the first week can feel discouraging. Rather than being hard on yourself, celebrate the small victories. Each step you take toward your goal is a success, so acknowledge those achievements and keep moving forward.

5. Team Up: Engaging with a community, friends, and healthcare professionals can provide support in achieving your goals. If you aim to manage your diabetes better in 2025, consider attending North Oaks Diabetes Education classes and connecting with others who share the same objective. Additionally, schedule your annual physical exam and discuss your goals with your primary care provider—they can offer valuable guidance.

North Oaks is here to support your wellness and healthcare throughout the new year.

Don’t hesitate to contact our professionals to establish a baseline for your health goals. To schedule an appointment, please call (985) 230-APPT (2778).