New Year, New Me. Sound familiar? That’s because every year you’ll hear the same comments from all your friends and family and possibly even yourself. But I bet since you last said that, you’re still smoking, eating fatty foods and arguing even though you promised yourself, and all of your facebook friends, that you wouldn’t.
Here are some of the most common New Year’s resolutions made and how to stick to them.
1. Lose weight
Every woman, and some men, you know have claimed that this is the year they’re going to lose their bingo wings and become as fit as Madonna, but let’s be honest, have you noticed a change? Probably not – and do not use being too skint to join the gym as an excuse, or that you’re too conscious to run outside because there are super easy workouts you can do in the comfort of your own home for the price of that large McDonalds meal you were going to buy.
An example of one of these workout DVD’s is “Gillian Michaels 30 day Shred” which is only £6.99 on amazon and is guaranteed to help you lose up to 20 pounds in a month – so buy some weights, a cheap workout DVD and work off that Christmas dinner.
2. Cut down smoking/drinking
Sure, addictions can be hard to quit but there is plenty of help and support for everyone. You can have fun without drinking and there are other ways to calm yourself than smoking. Plus think of all the money you will save if you’re not spending £20 a week on cigarettes or a night out? Well… close to £1000 – and double that if you quit both. Didn’t you say you wanted to go on holiday this year but are too poor? Well here’s your solution.
Sign up for a quit smoking/drinking kit at any doctors and begin your journey for a healthier lifestyle. And if you miss your habits and find you have too much time to know what to do with, consider a new hobby such a yoga or running which can be fun and improve your health. Plus, they’re the perfect way to get your summer body.
3. Stop arguing with everyone
If you’re the type of person to bite at the slightest thing then perhaps this is a resolution you’ve made time and time again and have never seemed to stick to. Have you tried to calm your inner chimp but don’t really understand where the anger has come from? Or woken up the day after an argument and have no idea why you said what you did?
Well stop beating yourself up about it because it isn’t actually you – according to Professor Steve Peters. Take a look at his self-help guide “A Chimp Paradox” and it’s guaranteed to help you tame that temper – as well as control your paranoia, guide you to success and control your chimp. Don’t just take my word for it though, many celebrities, including Steven Gerrard, have said it’s saved their lives and made them who they are today.
4. Save money
Students aren’t the richest of people by any means and saving money seems crazy as we never seem to have any to start with. But if you cut out all the things you buy that you really don’t need – e.g alcohol and that £80 Topshop jumper – then you really could save up enough to buy something really worth having like a holiday or a car!
If you find it difficult to save and are the type to hand over your credit card without checking your balance, then make it a personal aim to take out a set amount of money a week and put your card away until the next week, that way you won’t be tempted to spend money you haven’t got. Another great way to save is to take out £20 a week, or any spare change/notes you have and put it into a sealed money box that you cannot open until the end of the uni year. I did this and ended up with just over £500 extra for the summer.
5. Learn a new skill
Last on the list is one that I’ve heard many people say as well as promise myself that I’ll do many times. Of course, learning a new skill can differ in difficulty depending on what you’re trying to learn so pick something easy and start with that.
If you do said thing for just 10 minutes every day it will become a habit and then will be so much easier to learn. Also, pick something you love and that will motivate you to want to do it rather than see it as a chore.
So that’s it! Whatever you pick for your New Year resolution, don’t give up. It may seem hard at first but as the old saying goes: “if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again”.
Let us know what your 2015 resolutions are in the comments, or on Twitter @HerCampusCCCU