new-years-resolution-2From paying off debt to losing weight, each New Year millions of people promise themselves to make positive changes such as the following…

• I will lose 50 pounds this year.

• I will no longer eat fast food.

• I will workout every day.

• I will stop smoking.

• I will stop stressing out so much.

Unfortunately, research shows that most people will return to their less-than-healthy habits within 6 months, if not sooner. Bye bye New Years Resolutions!

What’s scarier is that 60% of people die from illnesses caused by overeating, lack of exercise or smoking. Doctors and the American Medical Association admit that stress plays an important role in 90% of all diseases.

resolution 3Not to mention how being unhealthy, physically and psychologically, can to lead to issues other than illnesses such as insomnia, financial stress, relationship difficulties, reduced productivity, job loss, accidents, family problems and even bankruptcy.

So why is it so hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle?

Here are the top 5 reasons:

1. Your “BUT” is too big, and it’s not the one you sit on!

Example: “I want to lose weight BUT I don’t like to work out.”

2. Your “WHY” is too small and your BUT outweighs your desire to be healthy!

Example: You want to lose weight but you give in to you Ben & Jerry’s craving instead.

3. Your all-or-nothing attitude is limiting you!

Example: “I can’t run with my bad knees so I can’t exercise at all.”

4. You set unrealistic goals which set you up for failure!

Example: You want to lose 50 pounds in one month – that’s impossible!

5. You don’t address the root problem of your issue!

Example: You want to lose weight so you try every diet out there. What may be causing you to overeat is stress-related and if you don’t address it, you will gain the weight back once you stop the diet.

The good news, though, is that you can make and maintain healthy changes in your life…and you don’t have to wait until the New Year to make those changes. Transformation is possible, anytime, anywhere. All it takes is a willingness and desire for change…and your WHY must outweigh your BUT!