The Ups and Downs of New Year's Resolutions

As we near the end of January, Hazelwood Patch wants to gauge who is and isn't keeping those New Year's resolutions. You may have decided that a resolution was a bit much and instead aimed for a goal, but either way, share your progress.

According to USA.gov, there are some resolutions that are popular year-after-year, and those include:

1. Drink less alcohol 
2. Eat healthy food 
3. Get a better education 
4. Get a better job 
5. Get fit 
6. Lose weight 
7. Manage debt 
8. Manage stress 
9. Quit smoking 
10. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
11. Save money
12. Take a trip 
13. Volunteer to help others

Are any of the aforementioned resolutions one you've made? According to blogger Ron Edmondson and Parents Connect the resolutions that most Americans have an easier time keeping include:

1. Think before eating
2. Participate in some form of exercise every week
3. Improve at least one relationship
4. Organize something
5. Learn a new skill
6. Smile More
7. Curse Less
8. Do something that makes you happy
9. Keep in touch with those you care about

Whether you take the tough or the easy road, Forbes has a few tips for attaining your resolutions goals and staying true the entire year:

1. Connect to Core Values: Make sure that you are centered and ready for whatever goal you set. Look into yourself for the push to achieve your resolution.
   
2. Be Specific: Don't just say you want to lose weight. Set monthly attainable weight loss goals. If you want to save more money, set an attainable goal like $20 per paycheck that you will never touch.
3. Design a Supportive Environment: If you aim to lose weight, don't have a house full of chips and soda. You are setting yourself up for failure.
   
4. Focus on one major resolution at a time: Nothing can be more overwhelming than vowing to stop smoking, stop cursing and lose weight all at the same time. Overcome one resolution before trying another.
   
5. Focus on the progress: If you vowed to lose three pounds each week and you only lose one, don't view it as not succeeding and be happy for the one pound weight loss. View setbacks as just that. Get back up and start again. 

So with that being said, if you made goals, here are some area facilities that may be able to help. The 's has fitness classes at both the and the . Any local store can help you be more organized and eat better. There are also a plethora or religious institutions should you want to get closer to your God including , , , and many more.