How are those New Year's Resolutions Coming Along?

     Are you sticking to your resolutions?  By this point in January, you've had almost a month to give them your best shot, but, if you're like most people, you've either slacked off a little (or alot!) or given up altogether.  Many of us start the new year with enthusiastic plans to lose weight, get fit, quit smoking, spend more time with our families, or finally.....insert life goal here......!  But it's hard, isn't it?  Those best intentions seem to get gobbled up by our busyness or just plain lazyness - come on, admit it! So, here we find ourselves with our hands back in the proverbial cookie jar, blaming our lack of willpower.
     So, since I include myself amongst the fallen, I've decided to do a little willpower experiment on ME, and I invite you to join in the journey.  I'll test out some of the best new ideas out there in the world of willpower research, and share my struggles, and successes along the way.  So, here goes.......

I'm going to start with following the advice of a very smart psychological researcher, Kelly McGonigal.  I just started reading her book, "The Willpower Instinct", and I like what I see so far.  So, Kelly says our first task is to choose our willpower challenge.

1.  "I will"  power challenges are the things we want to do more of, the things that will make our lives more positive.
2.  "I won't power challenges are those habits we want to slow down on or stop, the things that are getting in the way.
3.  "I want" power challenges are the really great long term goals we want to reach.

I'm going to start by focussing on my fitness goals.  Looks like that will be an "I will" power challenge. Ya, I know, not very original, right?  Me and everyone else on the block.  Well, that's why it's a good one - you can all relate!  So, tune in next time, with your challenge chosen.  I was going to say "Good luck!", but it's going to be about the science, not the luck.....