With 2016 only hours away, many of us are preparing to tackle ever popular New Year’s resolutions.
However, some of us make goals without thinking about how best to achieve them, allowing us to quickly forget about them weeks later.
We found the top three resolutions people make and spoke to a few experts about how best to accomplish those targets successfully.
GETTING FIT:
Shaving off those pounds you gained over the year so you can fit into your favorite jeans again, or getting that beach body ready for that tropical vacation, is at the top of most peoples’ list.
“It is a joke in this industry that in January, all of the sudden, all the classes are full; everyone is fighting over the gym equipment,” said Sandra Asuchak, fitness instructor at Kinetic Indoor Cycle & Fitness.
She explained that it is usually busy for a month, then February comes and attendance drops by half.
So how do we maintain our 2016 fitness goal?
According to Asuchak, people should set realistic targets when they are starting to workout, especially if it has been a while since they last saw a gym.
She said the biggest problem is that people set the bar too high, pushing themselves too hard, which leads to soreness or injury. This then leads to less trips to the gym.
Having fun with your new fitness routine is also important.
“Find something that you like, something you enjoy. Find something that challenges you that you will stick with and that is not a fad,” Asuchak added.
GETTING RID OF DEBT:
It’s a resolution some of us make more out of fear more than enthusiasm: clearing debt which has piled up over the years.
Are you going to be financially stable in the New Year? Are you even going to be able to make ends meet? These are questions many of us are asking ourselves.
“This is the time of year people are thinking most about their money,” said financial advisor Judy Schrempf with Financial Health Associates. “They are expecting credit card bills that are a little higher than they would like. They have been a little crazy with their spending over the year.”
Paying off those maxed out credit cards and large mortgages can be daunting, but it is achievable.
To become financially fit, you must first start with taking a look at your current spending habits. Schrempf suggests examining what purchases you can live without, narrowing down what you spend your money on.
“We can’t have it all. Realistically, no one can. We have to decide what we want to spend our money on now and in the future, looking at what kind of lifestyle we want,” she added.
She said it’s best to follow the three day rule – if there’s a purchase you want to make, wait three days and see if you still really want it after that time. This will help prevent you from making non-essential purchases, which we can all be guilty of at times.
GETTING ORGANIZED:
Whether it is cleaning out that messy garage, or rearranging that closet full of clothes you don’t wear anymore – organizing ones home is another vital resolution for people.
“People are busy. People work fulltime and they do not have time to get the organizing done,” said Julie Bruder, a professional organizer with Clutter No More.
How do we manage the mess with our busy schedules?
Bruder’s best advice is to start with de-cluttering. Collect all those things in your home that you do not really need anymore and part ways.
“It can be overwhelming, especially if you have kids, so you do need to go through and get rid of some of the older stuff and make room for the new stuff,” she explained.
Once you have made some room, the organizing can begin.
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