Make the Top Ten Worst Resolutions Work for YOU!

1. Lose Weight/Exercise/ Work Out: Really. Again? The problem with pledging to lose weight is that “I’ll do it tomorrow” mindset. Instead of pledging to lose weight, start about a month before Christmas and make your resolution to continue to work out, or to up your workout routine. That way, it’s not that big of a life change, and you can more easily keep your resolution, feel more motivated, and keep working out.
2. Quit Smoking/Drink Less: Ok, so this one is important. Doing something good for yourself shouldn’t take a resolution, but sometimes it does. Don’t just wish a change. Make a resolution to see someone for help, or just leave a million sticky notes to motivate yourself. You can’t just promise you’ll change, but have to take action.
3. Learn Something New: We all want to master a new language, learn Kung Fu, or understand what your mechanic is rambling on about, but who has the time. Make your Christmas gift related to your resolution. If you really want to learn a language, have all your friends pitch in for a Rosetta Stone, instead of 500 meaningless gifts. If you want to learn Kung Fu, then buy yourself some Karate clothing for the holidays, so you’ll have to use them. Or if you want to learn about cars, spend some more time at the mechanic, but just don’t break your car to do it.
4. Spend More Time with Family and Friends: Too busy? Well, make your friends busy with you. If you work too much, make friends at work. If you spend too much time studying, do study groups so that all your friends will be together. Or if you just watch too much television alone, start a family show to watch together. Make every time family and friend time, and it won’t seem like a chore to see those you love.
5. Be Less Stressed: It’s hard to be less stressed with another task, be less stressed, on your hands. Instead of making a resolution, take a deep breath. Whenever you’re stressed, go to the pool, call up a friend, or take a breather. It’s easier to feel less stressed than to say it.
6. Volunteer More/Help Others: It’s important during the holiday season to help those less fortunate than you, but also after the holiday season as well. Instead of making holiday plans to volunteer, sign up to be a regular volunteer at a local shelter, hospital, or anywhere you want to give back. That way it’s as much something to schedule into your calendar as something that should be done. I’m too busy will never be a good excuse again.
7. Watch less Television: Come one! You know, those characters on television, even those reality TV shoes, don’t know you. Spend less time in front of a cold black box and go back to resolution four, or skip ahead to number ten. Pick a few good shows, and let the rest, the ones you just watch for no reason at all, wilt away to nothing and you’ll see how much more time you have on your hands.
8. Do Something Crazy: No!!! Don’t go egging your principle’s house. Instead, go sky diving, indoors or out, learn how to swim if you’re scared of water, or eat something spicy. Even doing little things you normally wouldn’t do will leave you feeling better. Or, try something big and insane that would normally scare you, and feel great once you conquer that fear or goal.
9. Save Money: During the holidays, it's really easy to overspend. Save some money before the holiday season and after so that the change won’t feel like a chore or a setback. Splurge every once in a while instead of every day, and those big moments will feel even bigger.
10. Make Better Resolutions: Look at numbers one through nine.