The problem with New Year’s resolutions

A woman stretches during a pilates class at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. | Jon Goering

By Katie McDowell

Dr. Melissa Clinger doesn’t believe in New Year’s resolutions.

The psychologist at Grayson and Associates in Birmingham has good reason not to. She has seen many people, including herself, fail when faced with a task that just seems too daunting.

Instead, she likes to break down her resolutions into smaller, measurable goals.

“There’s nothing wrong with having an end goal,” she said. “It’s good to have something to work toward, but just realize you can break it down.”

Looking at resolutions as a journey, rather than a one-shot deal, makes the process seem more manageable. The most common New Year’s resolutions are usually quite involved, according to the official website of the United States’ government.

Twelve of the most common New Year’s resolutions that Americans make are: drink less alcohol, get a better education, get a better job, get fit, lose weight, manage debt, manage stress, quit smoking, save money, take a trip, volunteer more and live a green lifestyle.

When faced with such a large task – such as paying off debt or losing a large amount of weight – it is no wonder so many people give up on their resolutions before the temperatures heat up.

To battle resolution fatigue, Clinger suggests focusing on the process, rather than the outcome.

“Define the goal as specifically as possible and set measurable outcomes,” she said.

Mandy Cox, the fitness supervisor at St. Vincent One Nineteen in Birmingham, agrees. Cox said One Nineteen sees a large increase in new clients around the start of the year when people are ready to lose weight gained during the holiday season.

She encourages them to set goals and to find an exercise they enjoy.

While some people thrive in solitary exercise or with a personal trainer, most people join to participate in one of the wellness center’s 80-plus group exercise classes.

“A lot of our people go because they have friends in there,” Cox said. “They’re really held accountable by their friends. It’s more engaging than if you’re just on a treadmill.”

Clinger agreed that companions can be helpful in fulfilling weight loss goals, or any other goal for that matter. Other common resolutions, such as managing stress or increasing happiness, can also be easier with the help of friends.

Clinger said she read in a book about a group of women who met regularly to discuss things they were proud of. Friendships and relationships can be helpful not just for accountability, but also for encouragement, she said.

Other small ways to keep you in good mental and physical health in 2012 is to make sure you have at least 30 minutes a day to yourself. That time should be spent doing something you enjoy or want to accomplish, whether it is exercising, volunteering or relaxing.

What to do if you fall off the resolution wagon by the time March rolls around? Clinger said don’t sweat it. Goals should be set throughout the year, and not confined to an annual event.

“I’m not stuck on January,” she said. l

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