New Year resolutions are made only to be broken 80%
We fall prey to the ‘false hope syndrome’ wherein we set unrealistic expectations and underestimate the efforts involved in making lifestyle changes.”
Prateeksha Shetty, clinical psychologist, RAK Hospital
Of resolutions is a lost cause by February to March, studies show
dubai — ‘New year, new me’ is the mantra that has inflated many New Year’s resolutions only to be punctured by midweek January.
As new ‘beginnings’ are mulled over good food and friends, a lot of people resolve to get in shape, evolve into better beings, kick old patterns and metamorphosise into a new sparkling person. While this sounds great on paper, it is rarely followed by the “commitment to change”.
In fact, studies show that about 80 per cent of resolutions are a lost cause by February to March, said RAK Hospital’s clinical psychologist Prateeksha Shetty.
Most common resolutions involve losing weight, getting out of debt, learning new skills or dropping unhealthy habits.
“The problem is that people wait for something radical to happen, be it in terms of a medical diagnosis or a time like the beginning of a year to turn over a new leaf,” she said.
With an intent to lose pounds faster, enthusiasts hit the gym, and in no time lose heart — if not stamina — to continue on their course of change.
“Unfortunately, failed attempts at changing one’s self can add to existing fears and worries and take away the joy that comes from achieving our goals. We fall prey to the ‘false hope syndrome’ wherein we set unrealistic expectations and underestimate the investment required, speed and efforts involved in making lifestyle changes,” said Shetty.
So how does one prevent such falls? One of the things to remember is that change takes time and that patience and self-compassion are key here.
“Accept lapses as part of the process. Cravings are inevitable and guilt needs to be handled with care. Reflect on the past, what has worked and why it did not will help, rather than going about a route that has already shown to be futile. Often, we tend to underestimate the power of our thoughts on behaviour change.”
Sometimes, the only obstacle to getting fit is motivating one’s self for an early morning walk. Words like ‘should’ must be replaced with ‘will’.
“Keeping goals that are in tune with who we are as a person rather than going with the crowd will also help in achieving it.”
Understanding how one’s body works and gains weight and seeking professional help (nutritionist, fitness trainer, physician, etc) are things that need to be in place before starting the journey.
The following questions also have to be asked: “Why am I making this resolution; what do I want to accomplish; what is required of me?”
All goals have to be SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound).
Other practices that can help one stay on track include recording weekly progress, breaking it down to simpler weekly gains, and setting and earning rewards.
“Let’s not forget that getting fit is not just about losing that flab; evidence suggests that anything as simple as a walk can uplift your mood, regulate your sleep and open the stairway to Cloud 9,” she said.