Sticking With It
By Rear Adm. Joyce Johnson, D.O., M.A.

My husband and I have made New Year's resolutions; I'm on a sensible diet, and he has quit smoking. We've done well for two weeks, but I'm worried about keeping it up.

You have a good beginning and have both completed the first two steps. First, you chose changes that will significantly affect how you look and feel now and in the future. Second, you recognize there will be challenges keeping your resolutions.

Healthy New Year's resolutions may include beginning an exercise program, eating healthier food, quitting smoking, drinking less alcohol, etcetera. Initially you may be very enthusiastic, but after a while, temptation returns. Several things can help you maintain January's momentum the rest of the year.

First, recognize that some occasions are more difficult and identify ways to cope beforehand. If you are going to a buffet dinner, you may decide ahead of time to eat one plate of food and bypass dessert. Your husband may plan in advance to decline when his friends ask him to go outside where they will smoke.

If you are invited to someone's home for dinner, tell them beforehand you are dieting. Don't ask them to change the menu, just let them know you may only take some of the food; they'll better understand when you skip the sauce on the entrée. Likewise, tell them your husband has quit smoking.

Also, avoid temptation at home - buy only healthy foods; take that box of holiday chocolates to share at the office; and rid the house of all tobacco, ashtrays, and matches.

Stress increases the urge to revert to old habits. Recognize stressors and address them directly. When the urge strikes, find an alternate activity - go for a walk or simply have a glass of water. This buys you time to reflect on your decision.

Set short-term goals and find ways to reward yourself. At the beginning of each week, you and your husband might agree on a reward (perhaps going out to a movie or sporting event) if you both stick to your resolutions. Find ways to enjoy life without the extra food or tobacco.

If you break a resolution, you may blame yourself, feel guilty, and have a stronger urge to eat, smoke, or drink. Accept that you may deviate from your goal, don't blame yourself too much, and move forward. New Year's resolutions aren't gone forever if they're broken once.

Supporting and encouraging each other can make it a lot easier for you and your husband to stick with your resolutions. Support groups also may be of value. Finally, psychotherapists and medical doctors have medications and other tools that may help.