It’s often difficult to keep up with your New Year’s resolutions, especially when it comes to eating healthier or losing weight. However, where there’s a will, there most definitely a way! Learn tricks to sticking with your goals this new year and discover tips to make it so much easier! View the full article at http://accent.chubb.com/new-approach-new-years-resolutions and for more tips to keeping up with your health this year, check out http://accent.chubb.com/health.

1. A New Approach To
New Year’s Resolutions

2. There are several schools of thought on making New
Year’s resolutions: among them are setting realistic,
attainable goals with a strategy for achieving them,
and, conversely, not setting them at all.
After all, as Health.com has reported, about one-
third of Americans make resolutions, but fewer
than half that figure are still working toward their
goals six months later.
This year, a number of experts in psychology, as well
as physical trainers, behavioral experts and even tech
gurus, are dispensing advice for making
resolutions—and keeping them.

3. Particularly after a busy holiday season, full of
sweets we wish we hadn’t eaten, and still with a bit
of time to reflect on the year that was (and, if we’re
honest, we’re reflecting on its failures, aren’t we?), it
feels productive to set goals for the year ahead.
The trick, the experts say, is not to set yourself up for
failure—and more remorse come this time next year.

4. The reason that resolutions fail is that people don’t put
in enough effort to allow them to succeed, wrote Art
Markman, author of Smart Change and professor of
psychology and marketing at The University of Texas at
Austin, in Time magazine. “The things we resolve to
change in our lives are generally the systematic failures
in our lives,” he writes.
Experts Weigh In

5. These could be goals like resolving to get in shape, stop
smoking or drinking, or to get more serious about
establishing a career. Successful change is supported by
two things, Markman notes: focusing on positive goals
rather than negative goals (i.e. something you want to
stop doing), and giving yourself a specific plan—such
as scheduling time for the gym on your calendar.
Experts Weigh In

6. Addicted to apps?
Fitness apps might help you make positive changes.
Apps include CARROT Fit, which delivers a 7-minute
interval workout based on 30-second exercises and has
a step counter, weight tracker and workout calendar to
hold you accountable.
Technology Can Help

7. If your health resolution is to finally stop smoking,
Smoke Free can help by giving you daily missions and
tips, and rewarding you with badges for avoiding
cravings.
It also tracks how much money you've saved since
quitting, how long you’ve been smoke free and even
how many hours of life you’ve theoretically gotten
back.
Technology Can Help

8. Finally, one of the healthiest measures to take is to
focus outward. According to a 2010 study by doctors at
the Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health at
Columbia University Medical Center, happy people are
at less risk for heart disease, as well as a whole host of
other health-busters. And, Health’s Alyssa Sparacino
notes that Peter Kanaris, PhD, coordinator of public
education for the New York State Psychological
Association, says our own happiness increases when
we help others.
Help Others

9. So make some plans, take care of yourself, sign up for
some helpful tech and spread the goodwill.
A year from now, you might enjoy a happier, healthier
time of reflection.
Help Others