How to make a New Year’s resolution that sticks
- Category: Primary Care
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Did you set a New Year’s resolution to improve your health in 2025? You’re not alone. Thousands of Americans set wellness goals for the new year. Unfortunately, many fall off the resolution horse months or even weeks later (up to 80% don’t meet their resolution goals, according to U.S. News & World Report).
At LCMC Health, we want to help you create a healthy resolution that sticks. Discover some ways to make this year’s resolution a successful one.
Set specific goals for the new year
The key to a successful New Year’s resolution is to choose your resolution wisely. Many resolutions are too broad—for example, “getting healthier.” While it’s great to want to improve your health, this statement is more of a vague wish than a specific goal. Vague wishes are much easier to ignore.
To help better define your resolution, be specific. Which aspect of your health do you want to improve? Maybe you want to lose weight, or perhaps you’re looking to lower your cholesterol numbers before next year’s checkup. That’s your resolution. And the first step to making a specific goal a reality.
Break down your New Year’s resolution into smaller actions
So, you’ve made a resolution. Now, how do you accomplish it or make it stick for the entire year? It’s best to have a plan.
Take your overall goal and break it into smaller action items. These smaller actions give you something to do and may be easier to do for longer. For example:
- If you’re looking to lose weight, schedule two workouts in your calendar each week for a month.
- If you want to eat healthier, plan out your meals for the week and make a grocery list.
- If you need to reduce stress, start a new hobby or pick up an old one.
Reward yourself for achievements along the way
You’re more likely to keep making progress on your resolution if you celebrate achievements as they happen. Gift yourself a new workout top when you finish those workouts every week for a month. Find a yummy new recipe for next week after sticking with your meal plan for the week. Just don’t make the reward something that jeopardizes your resolution.
Learn from mistakes and adjust accordingly
With resolutions, you’ll likely make some mistakes along the way. That’s okay. Remember that failure isn’t an endpoint. It can be a helpful learning opportunity.
If it’s too hard to increase physical activity in 30-minute timeframes, break your workouts into smaller chunks or do longer workouts a few times a week. If you can’t stop eating your favorite fast food, look for healthier alternatives that still have flavor, but less fat, sodium, and calories.
Don’t be afraid to modify your plan. The flexibility can help you stay on track with your resolution even as you face challenges.
Share your goals with others
Tell your friends and family (and anyone who will listen) about your resolution and how you plan to make it happen. Sharing your goals with others can help you stick with them long-term. They can encourage you, keep you accountable, and even come along for the ride.
Share your achievements, too. It can feel good to have someone celebrate your wins with you and inspire you to achieve even more.
Lean on your primary care provider
Are you resolving to improve your health this year? A great place to start is to schedule a visit with your primary care provider. They can help you define some health goals and the best ways to achieve them.
