2008 Woodie Awards
Helpful advice to attain New Year's resolutions
Elise Sommerfeldt
Issue date: 1/23/08 Section: Lifestyle
On New Year's Eve, nearly a month ago, millions of Americans resolved to change their lives in some way.
According to Dr. Stephen Kraus' book "Psychological Foundations of Success: A Harvard-Trained Scientist Separates the Science of Success from Self-Help Snake Oil," about 50 percent of Americans make New Year's resolutions, but only about 15 percent actually achieve their goals.
Only three weeks into the New Year, many people are already guilty of veering off the path of achieving their resolution. It's not too late to get back on track.With advice from experts on campus, achieving those resolutions can become reality.
Lose Weight:
A 2006 Weight Watchers survey found that 45 percent of women who make New Year's resolutions say their resolution is to lose weight.
The most important thing to remember when trying to shed unwanted pounds is that there is no quick fix. Sticking to this resolution requires long-term commitment.
"You didn't get out of shape in one day, and you're not going to get in shape in one day either," Sean Dill, senior and personal trainer at the Williams Center, said.
People mistakenly think that working out daily and significantly reducing food intake will instantly shrink the tummy. Dill said that eating a healthy, well-balanced diet and working out three times a week can produce better results than crash dieting and intense daily activity.
"People that don't want to get a [gym] membership still have tons of things outside they can do," Dill said.
Dill suggested a wide range of healthy living activities including walking to class instead of driving, hiking or running the trails around campus, playing disc golf, and playing basketball and tennis in the fieldhouse.
Get Out of Credit Card Debt:
The average college student's credit card debt is about $2,200, according to www.youngmoney.com.
Maria Novak, financial specialist at the UW Credit Union, said the first step to getting out of credit card debt is paying more than the minimum payment each month.
According to Dr. Stephen Kraus' book "Psychological Foundations of Success: A Harvard-Trained Scientist Separates the Science of Success from Self-Help Snake Oil," about 50 percent of Americans make New Year's resolutions, but only about 15 percent actually achieve their goals.
Only three weeks into the New Year, many people are already guilty of veering off the path of achieving their resolution. It's not too late to get back on track.With advice from experts on campus, achieving those resolutions can become reality.
Lose Weight:
A 2006 Weight Watchers survey found that 45 percent of women who make New Year's resolutions say their resolution is to lose weight.
The most important thing to remember when trying to shed unwanted pounds is that there is no quick fix. Sticking to this resolution requires long-term commitment.
"You didn't get out of shape in one day, and you're not going to get in shape in one day either," Sean Dill, senior and personal trainer at the Williams Center, said.
People mistakenly think that working out daily and significantly reducing food intake will instantly shrink the tummy. Dill said that eating a healthy, well-balanced diet and working out three times a week can produce better results than crash dieting and intense daily activity.
"People that don't want to get a [gym] membership still have tons of things outside they can do," Dill said.
Dill suggested a wide range of healthy living activities including walking to class instead of driving, hiking or running the trails around campus, playing disc golf, and playing basketball and tennis in the fieldhouse.
Get Out of Credit Card Debt:
The average college student's credit card debt is about $2,200, according to www.youngmoney.com.
Maria Novak, financial specialist at the UW Credit Union, said the first step to getting out of credit card debt is paying more than the minimum payment each month.
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