Three New Year’s Resolutions You Should Be Making

Happy New Year everyone!  If you are like most people, you made some resolutions to start 2019 off right. Research has shown that most people fall off their resolution by mid year because they don’t set realistic goals. Here are some realistic resolutions for the New Year

• Instead of “I’m going to lose 20 lbs by going to the gym everyday” say “I’m going to create a healthier lifestyle”

Oh, the dreaded weight loss resolution. As a person that goes to the gym regularly, it’s frustrating to see all the “resolutioners” come in January 1 and by February 14th most of them are gone. Setting realistic goals about weight loss is essential to weight loss. Start with changes for a healthy lifestyle. That includes swapping fried chicken for baked chicken. Or cutting soda and drinking more water.

Subtle changes can make a huge difference in losing weight. If you are a beginner to exercising, start slowly. Walking 15 minutes a day with the subtle changes mentioned above can knock fat off your body in no time. Remember this is a PROCESS. Lifestyle changes are for LIFE and not just for that summer vacation coming up.

• Instead of “I’m going to quit (insert substance)” say “I’m going to get the help I need to maintain my sobriety”

Too much of anything is bad. I commend anyone trying to stop smoking cigarettes, drinking too much alcohol or coffee, or using other substances. What I see most people do is stop “cold turkey” only to end up using the substance of choice again weeks later. How can you stop this cycle? By getting a therapist. What I have seen is a deeper underlying problem that is making that individual want to use or there is a pattern of events that make using acceptable for them.

Some of these things need to be worked out professionally while decreasing or stopping the use of your substance. Purposeful Counseling can help you with your resolution.  Consultations are always free!

• Instead of “I’m going to church every Wednesday, Sunday, and whenever the church doors are open” say “I want to have a better relationship with God”

This was me a few years back.  I was looking for a church home and was in between churches.  The new year rolled around and I started going to a church and I told myself I was gonna be there every Sunday no matter what.  That ended by March.  Why?  Because I missed a couple of Sundays and I was mad at myself for missing.

That’s because I thought Church = a better relationship with God. WRONG! Your relationship with God is personal. To build that relationship you need to talk to Him frequently (pray), hang out and understand Him (read your Bible) and listen to Him (through Sermons, Bible study, and other Christians). So going to Church will help to build that relationship but reading and studying His Word will build it even more. If you don’t have a church home, get one.

My Pastor says, “If you don’t have a church home, you are outside of the will of God”. That’s deep. In other words, it is God’s desire for you to be in fellowship with His people. After I found my new church home, I go every Sunday, sing in the choir and am involved in other ministries.  I’m working on making it to Bible Study so just pray for me. I think it’s the best church AND we start at Noon.  #winning.

Well, that’s it!  I hope 2019 brings peace, prosperity and happiness to you and your family.  Stay up to date with Purposeful Counseling by subscribing now.