5 Reasons It's Okay (Actually Great!) to Make New Year's Resolutions

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You’ll make them. You’ll hit it hard at first. Then you’ll give up in about two months (or less).

Let’s face it, New Year’s resolutions have gotten a bad wrap.

But we’re here to say that, contrary to popular belief, you can — actually, you should — make a New Year’s resolution.

Why?

Plenty of reasons! We rounded up the top 5 to make a resolution this year (no matter what the world tells us).
 

1) New Year’s offers the chance to start with a clean slate.

A new year means new opportunities. It means a chance to find a new version of ourselves. And most importantly, a new year is the perfect catalyst to make a commitment to change.
 

2) New Year’s is commonly associated with betterment.

As human beings, it’s natural for us to want to better ourselves, and a new year is a great excuse to do just that. New opportunities come with each new year, and it’s the perfect time to make the most of them.
 

3) It’s tradition.

The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions dates all the way back to 153 B.C. Janus was the Roman mythical god of January (hence the month’s name). He had two faces, one looking to the past, one looking to the future. His faces became a symbolic representation of forgiving mistakes and making goals for a better tomorrow.
 

4) There’s science behind it!

New Year’s resolutions aren’t just a fluffy thing we do to change certain behaviors. In fact, one study found that 46 percent of individuals who made a concrete resolution were successful, while just 4 percent who made a goal, but did not specifically call it a “resolution” were successful.
 

5) A declaration is a powerful thing.

If nothing else, making a New Year’s resolution is a declaration to ourselves. It’s when we say, “Yes, this IS something I will do. It IS something I will commit to. And it IS something I’ll succeed at.” Without the declaration, the incentive isn’t there, and we’re less likely to follow through with it.

Even better than a declaration to ourselves is a declaration to others! Add your resolution to our Facebook Challenge Board and increase your success with the support of our community!

What’s your reason for making a resolution? Share in the comments below! 

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Author: Caitlin H
Diet-to-Go Community Manager

Caitlin is the Diet-to-Go community manager and an avid runner. She is passionate about engaging with others online and maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle. She believes moderation is key, and people will have the most weight loss success if they engage in common-sense healthy eating and fitness.

 

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