5 Realistic Resolutions You Can Make-And Keep

It’s estimated that 80% of people fail to keep their New Year’s resolutions. You might say they’re not as resolute as they thought, but we don’t think it’s the person’s fault. The resolutions are to blame—most of them are completely unrealistic. Hit the gym every day, when it’s been a few years since you set foot in one. Eliminate all carbs from your diet, when pasta is your kryptonite. Commit to a three-step facial cleansing routine, when you have a knack for falling asleep watching TV. See the pattern here?

The only way to pass this annual test is to make resolutions—or better yet, a resolution—you can realistically keep. Diving in head first will inevitably end in failure. But dipping your toe in and testing the water is easy. Anyone—especially you—can do it. You’ll quickly get comfy with the temperature and, before you know it, you’ll be conquering the resolution like a champ.

We recently polled 50 people and asked them about their 2020 resolutions. Not surprisingly, a lot of the resolutions were super aggressive and impractical. But there were a handful that made total sense. Here are our 5 faves—realistic resolutions straight from people just like you. They’re easy to make, easy to keep and will help you successfully kickstart and crush the new decade.

BOOK ALL YOUR DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS

Probably the healthiest resolution ever, and one you literally keep all year. Rather than put off scheduling your dental cleaning, yearly physical or annual mammogram, get them on the calendar now before life gets in the way and your doctors get booked up. It’s as easy as picking up the phone.  

DRINK MORE AND LESS

We’re raising our glass to this resolution, which encourages you to drink more water and less alcohol. We recommend starting with a sip rather than bingeing your way into this one. First, buy a refillable water bottle and fill it up right after breakfast. Start on a Monday, and drink it and refill it a few times throughout that day. Next week, do it Monday and Tuesday. Then add Wednesday the week after that. Pretty soon, hydrating will become part of your daily routine. As you up your H2O, you can work on lowering your alcohol intake. Start by setting a drink limit. Once you reach it, drink water the rest of the night.

WALK DON’T RUN

Anyone who’s ever sworn to hit the gym on the regular or start running (one of the most popular resolutions) inevitably fall short. Unless fitness is your job, you’re just not going to be able to hit the treadmill at the gym everyday. And if you live in a colder climate, gearing up for a run is no easy task. Resolutions shouldn’t feel like chores, so try these baby steps to start: Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park farther—and farther—away from wherever you’re going, so you have to walk more. Plan to run one day a week. Put it on your calendar. Set a reminder. And add a second weekly run as you see fit.

TRY A NEW RECIPE

Going cold turkey on the carbs is not only unrealistic, but will will make you feel sluggish and unsatisfied. If you want to switch up your eating habits, find a realistic meal plan like paleo or vegetarian and ease into it. Try cooking one new recipe per week, as opposed to nightly, to get a taste of your new plan. By going slow, you’ll better understand the ins and outs of what it takes to stick with it long-term.

FOCUS ON WELLNESS, GRADUALLY

With only the best intentions, many of us set our sights on a goal of total wellness. This might include a detox plan, the addition of new supplements, or hiring a personal trainer. One effortless way to say hello to a new year wellness plan is by introducing CBD into your life. Whether it’s using a CBD Oil (dosed under the tongue, or sublingually) or a CBD Lotion or CBD Rubs, it’s a simple step in the feel-better direction. CBD has a host of total body benefits, which many people experience after just one use. And, let’s face it, there is no better feeling than feeling better. That’s a 2020 resolution we can all stick to.