Rescue Those Healthy Resolutions - Senior Planet from AARP

How long did your New Years resolution last this time? The average one lasts two to four months, some experts say.Others scoff that the resolve is even briefer, noting that the second Friday of January is officially known as Quitters Daythe day most people have already ditched or even forgotten their resolutions.Regardless of whos right, many are quitters of resolutions, and most are probably feeling like failures.But it may not be you.

It may be how you tackle the process of change.Whether you want to eat better, move more, stress less or manage your money better, heres how to get going and keep going.Stages of Change: SimplifyYouve no doubt heard of the four stages of change- thinking about it, preparing, taking action, maintaining the new routine.Simplify, says Karen Midyet, PsyD, a psychologist in Fort Collins, CO, who offers life and retirement coaching for people who are age 50 plus.I look at two stagesplanning with specific goal setting and following through.This approach worked for a recent client, a retired CEO, who sought her help recently when he fell off the exercise wagon he had begun with gusto.He had resolved to do an hour a dayand it quickly dwindled.

Midyet advised him to set the goal with the realization that time available varies from day to dayif 20 minutes was it, rather than an hour, put in the 20 minutes.Instead of booing the 20 minutes that wasnt an hour, applaud it, she says.Its giving people permission to not be perfect and to start to feel some agency in being able to do something thats positive for themselves.Enlist Technology and a Real-Life TeamUse Google, Alexa, your smart watch, your phone calendar and everything else at your disposal, Midyet says.

Be specific: Siri, set the alarm for 8 a.m.and say its time to go for a walk.Siri comes through as a personal trainer.Use those phone apps to track your exercise time and effortand to plan them.

Midyet draws up a weekly plan of exercise.If you dont get the whole plan done, you probably did more than you would have it you hadnt planned.To find a nutrition expert, check the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics here.To find a therapist, check out the American Psychological Association therapist finder here.To find a health coach or trainer, one option is the American Council on Exercise.Tap into the wealth of free online classes, including these from Senior Planet.Lean on Friendsand Give BackOne of Midyets clients needed to lose weight and knew she needed to cook better to make more healthy meals.Its hard to do all that cooking and stay on track, Midyet says.

So this woman teamed up wither her sister.They cook together, sometimes, then one might take a day and do all the cooking while her sister runs an errand or other favor for the cook.Then what? Theres two more things you need to add to your toolkit.Patience: Forget the myth that a new habit develops quickly.Australian researchers evaluated 20 studies that looked at the time required to develop health-related habits.

They found that while habits can start forming within about two months, the time needed varies widely from person to person.One study found a range of 4 to 335 days.Chill out: You cant change everything all at once, Midyet says.Pick one or two things.

Then start planning so youll follow through.YOUR TURNDid you sail through Quitters Day still keeping your resolution? Tell us about your new healthy habit, and share how you stay on track in the comments.Kathleen Dohenyis a Los Angeles-based independent journalist, specializing in health, behavior, fitness and lifestyle stories.Besides writing for Senior Planet, she reports for WebMD, Medscape, MedCentral and other sites.She is a mom, mother-in-law and proud and happy Mimi who likes to hike, jog and shop.Photo of Kathy Doheny: Shaun NewtonThis article offered by Senior Planet and Older Adults Technology Services is for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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