{"id":87582,"date":"2025-12-22T10:53:35","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T17:53:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=87582"},"modified":"2026-01-08T08:57:53","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T15:57:53","slug":"how-to-succeed-with-your-new-years-resolutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/how-to-succeed-with-your-new-years-resolutions\/","title":{"rendered":"Ditch unrealistic resolutions. Get pro tips to succeed with your health goals."},"content":{"rendered":"
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It’s possible to succeed with New Year’s resolutions. One trick is to enlist your friends to help you. Photo: Getty Images.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sticking with New Year\u2019s resolutions is tough.<\/p>\n

Many people commit to unrealistic goals and fail by February, if not days into January.<\/p>\n

But we can succeed with our New Year\u2019s resolutions.<\/p>\n

To do so, it\u2019s vital to reframe how you think about your resolutions.<\/p>\n

First, take advantage of the momentum that times of renewal can offer you. Second, create realistic goals. And third, ask for help from friends or pros.<\/p>\n

Times of renewal can help people achieve health goals<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Researchers like Katy Milkman<\/a> have found that we\u2019re primed for \u201cfresh starts\u201d<\/a> on occasions like New Year\u2019s Day, milestone birthdays, the first day of each month and even on Mondays.<\/p>\n

So, as much as we think New Year\u2019s resolutions don\u2019t work, there\u2019s evidence that we can capitalize on \u201cfresh start\u201d days. If you\u2019re like most people, and you want to adopt a New Year\u2019s resolution that focuses on health goals, like eating more nutritious foods, losing weight, boosting your fitness or sleeping better, you can set yourself up for success.<\/p>\n

Start by ditching unrealistic New Year\u2019s resolutions.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Sure. You might wake up on New Year\u2019s Day feeling overstuffed from weeks of holiday cookies, parties and big meals, and you might impulsively declare that you\u2019re going to transform your life overnight: running a marathon, for example, or climbing all of Colorado\u2019s 14ers<\/a>. But if you\u2019ve never jogged more than a couple of miles and you haven\u2019t climbed an easier summit than a 14,000-foot peak, picking a goal that\u2019s too tough or too lofty could result in a depressing bellyflop.<\/p>\n

Instead, take time to think about smaller, simpler, achievable goals so you can set yourself up for success.<\/p>\n

How to succeed with New Year\u2019s resolutions<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Swedish researcher Martin Oscarsson<\/a> did a study about New Year\u2019s resolutions<\/a> and found that people were more likely to succeed if they took these basic approaches:<\/p>\n