It’s that time where people set their New Year’s resolutions!

Christmas is only three days away, followed by New Year’s one week later. Time flies when you are having fun, so I must be having a blast!

If you are one who sets New Year’s resolutions set reachable goals. Use the SMART goals. Be Specific: when setting a goal, say what it is, “not “I start exercising.” Are you going to walk, lift weights, swim etc? Make it Measurable: example, if you started walking, and started out with 10-minute walk in week 1, where are you in week 8? Hopefully 20-30 min? Achievable: you want to lose 70 pounds, healthy weight loss is 1 to 2 pounds per week, is your specific goal for that about 9 to 16 months? Then it’s achievable, if it’s in 12 weeks, its not. Is it Relevant? Are your goals meaningful and worthwhile, starting something you hate will eventually stop what you are doing. Time bound: I like to lose 12 pounds in 12 weeks and be able to walk 2 miles continuously.

Now, one other important part of keeping your New Year’s resolutions; Believe that you can do it! Put your “heart” into it! Too many people set “resolutions” expecting to fail. That is not how we want to start 2025! Let that be one of your goals.

Here are some other tips to help you keep your goals:

• Join a program that will help and assist you to keep your goal you have set for yourself.
• As mentioned above, make sure that your goals are reachable and measurable! Too many people set their goals to high or just have too many goals to keep.
• Exercise because you want to get/be healthy. Let weight loss be a “perk.”
• Exercise does not have to hurt! Especially in the beginning. Eventually you can start challenging your body more.
• Try lots of different activities you might be surprised what you will like.
• Balance your resolutions between mind, body, and spirit goals.
• Last but surely not least…..live your life! When you constantly complain and don’t do anything about it, who’s to blame? Little baby steps at a time. Little goals at a time. You “fall off the wagon” — climb back on! Just don’t give up, and be kind, respectful and understanding. Everyone sees the world through different eyes.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year!

Ester H. Marsh is associate executive director and director of healthy living at the J.F. Hurley Family YMCA.