Resolutions are popular because everyone feels they could use a little improvement - Marilu Henner

I’ve decided that it's time for me to make a few changes, or resolutions as they are more commonly called this time of year.  One is to be more patient/nice, the other is to give up Popchips - cold turkey.  No Popchip phase out for me.  Just stone-cold-turkey.  Well, a week in and I’ve already polished off two bags of Popchips and pissed off my sister-in-law.  And my husband.  And a really annoying lady at the gym.  Gym lady deserved it but, the other two, maybe not so much.  So, what I’ve learned from 5 day experience is that I’m not sure I’m cut out for resolutions.  It probably has something to do with the patience thing.

I know I’m not alone.  If you're like most people you’ve made a New Year's resolution also.  And if you’re like most American people, you’ve probably made the resolution to lose weight or get in shape.  Unfortunately, this decision is usually made while in the midst of a gluttonous binge.  When you’ve got a cookie in one hand, wine in the other, and pants that no longer zip, a day at the gym and a nice 7 day juice fast sounds very doable.  

However, once the boozy punch bowl is put away, the leftovers are gone, and you can now zip your very tight jeans you’re probably rethinking the whole gym/juice fast thing.  I understand.  Remember though, we may be quitters but we’re not alone.  By the seventh day of the new year only 77% of resolution makers are still on track, by June only 40 % will be hanging on, and by the end of the year more than 90% will have given up completely.  Hence the reason most people make the SAME resolutions every year.  

This got me thinking.  I’m not sure I want my Popchip addiction and my impatient, bad attitude to be my defining features.  So, I’m thinking I might go back on the wagon. I think I’m going to take this year’s resolution serious.  Join me?  Let’s not give up.  Let’s find motivation wherever we can.  For example, take celebrities.  These people are paid millions of dollars to be thin, healthy, and in shape.  I’m sure they struggle, but millions of dollars can be pretty motivating. So, if you’re resolution includes eating right (yes, that includes giving up Popchips) and exercising, here are a few resolutions and tips from celebrities that seem to be doing it right.

Bob Harper

This personal trainer and host of The Biggest Loser knows a thing or two about losing weight and getting in shape.  However, he doesn't approve of resolutions, especially “health-related ones that lack structure, focus, and realism because they never last.”  Instead, he’d rather people focus on setting 30 day goals.  In those 30 days he suggests that people 1) give up sugary drinks 2) find a fun, group exercise class and 3) add extra veggies to at least one meal.  Harper believes that if you do these things for 30 days you are guaranteed to lose weight and that will motivate you to continue for another 30 days.  Then another 30 days… Get it?

Lea Michele

The former Glee actress said, “I’ve had a really great [2015], but one thing that I’m really proud of myself for doing is expanding my fitness life. I was really always into hiking and yoga and I want to expand that in 2016. So I’m starting Pilates and spin class. With this new year, I think it’s important to be less complacent and more challenged.  It keeps me motivated and it keeps me open to trying new things.” As for her diet, the actress said, “I don’t diet. I eat to live. Food is what gives me energy and strength. I give my body the best foods so it can perform at its absolute best.” Practical, good advice from someone who is not quite 30...

Drew Barrymore

This radiant actress/author/producer/mother/wife is approaching her resolution with a sense of humor and a touch of realism.  She said her resolution was, “to get smaller underwear."   Honestly, I think that’s every girl’s goal as well.  How will she do it?  Barrymore said, "I just think you should eat less of everything. A little bit less. I don't want to live a life where you can't have what you want; it just makes you want it more."   I think she might be my spirit animal.

Khloé Kardashian

After years of struggling to lose weight and get healthy  Khloé decided to take a different approach; she took it slow and steady.  Because of that it took Khloé all of 2015 to lose 30 pounds. She said it took so long because she “worked out regularly but was unwilling to give up the foods she loved.”  For most people, 30 pounds in a year might sound frustratingly slow, but taking the time to develop a healthy routine you can stick with for the long haul will help you lose more weight and not feel like you’re sacrificing anything.  And she looks reallllly good.  And happy.

Kate Hudson

This actress/designer/yoga enthusiast swears by counting calories. She said, “My friend told me about this app ‘MyFitnessPal’ and I got obsessed with it, because knowledge is power. I memorized everything, so if anything gets on the table, I literally know how many calories it is. The greatest day of my life was when I realized a small piece of pizza was only 150 calories. I was like, That means I can have three slices for a meal!”  She’s right, knowledge is power, so remember, if you want to lose weight calories in must be < calories out.  

Odette Anable

This actress has made a simple, but highly overlooked, resolution.  Odette said her resolution is to "Drink lots of water. Always."  Why is water important?  Because it makes you feel full, it flushes out toxins, and because most people confuse dehydration with hunger and eat when they’re really just thirsty.  So, chug a couple glasses of water before eating a meal, you’ll probably eat less and lose weight without really trying.

Okay.  Have I convinced you to give your resolution one more try? Perhaps we shouldn’t think about them as resolutions, but rather self-improvements.  And self-improvement doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give something up.  Instead, think of it as taking on a healthy habit.  Sounds better, right?

Oh, and by the way. I threw away a my last bag of Popchips and I smiled at annoying gym lady today.  See?  It’s a whole new program.

Image by:  Shari's Berries

Stacy Matson is a health enthusiast from Southern California and regularly blogs on Celebrity Health for A Healthier World, as well as contributing to the Best of Best.