New Year's resolutions done right

Come three days from now, that vow of losing weight, getting in shape and eating healthy becomes a dreaded New Year's resolution for many.

Come three months, and that resolution may be long gone.

Eileen Faughey, a nutritionist and owner of Nutrition Connections, 1135 Pearl St., said at the beginning of each year, the health center often sees an influx of clients come through with goals of achieving a healthier lifestyle.

Allison Westfahl, director of personal training at Flatiron Athletic Club, 505 Thunderbird Court, said that after a rush of clients in the personal training department in January, there is a bit of a halt come April.

However, resolutions can be within reach by setting specific goals and avoiding overambition, Faughey said.

"Take small steps," Faughey said. "Instead of saying, 'I'm going to eat better this year, say, 'I'm going to bring a piece of fruit for an afternoon snack.' The specific and smaller goals make the resolution more realistic."

It's the unmanageable goals that are daunting.

"You need to ask yourself if it is an unrealistic goal," Faughey said. "If it is, then what can you do to make it work? Pick things that make sense, start with activities that you know you can handle."

It is also important to recognize personal patterns and bad habits, Westfahl said.

"Instead of a resolution, think of it as a lifestyle change," Westfahl said. "If you are making a resolution that you've failed at five times before, it's probably not going to work."

Failed resolutions often can leave people feeling low, said Joe Courtney, manager of Psychological Health and Psychiatry at the University of Colorado's Wardenburg Health Center.

"There are plenty of people with anxiety and depression who set goals for the New Year and frequently fall short of these goals," Courtney said. "If a person is dealing with anxiety or depression, they should set goals that are holistic as well as attend to sleeping well, eating well and getting exercise."

Courtney said setting achievable goals help with a sense of accomplishment.

"Make sure you set goals that are pleasurable," Courtney said. "It's hard to sustain goals for very long if they are not gratifying to the person."

Courtney said with exercise resolutions, working with a personal trainer often helps in sustaining a goal.

"Having a coach or support they can periodically consult with can go a long way can be important," Courtney said.

Westfahl said many find the need to pay a personal trainer to get a workout unnecessary, but it can be a wise investment.

"The reality of the situation is, you're putting your health in the hands of a professional," Westfahl said. "Working with a trainer offers accountability."

Talking to a nutritionist can also be helpful with personal motivation, Faughey said.

"A nutritionist can give the extra support to help stick with their goal," Faughey said. "It helps them stay on track and it helps a lot of people get a jump start."