Local residents say it's important to keep New Year's resolutions attainable

It's that time of year again.

Just over a week is left in 2014 to figure out what your New Year's resolution will be, and most, like Cape Girardeau resident Dean Atkins', concern health.

"I'm going to quit smoking," he said. "This year, for good."

He said he's tried a couple of times before, but this time, he's been practicing.

"I switched to one of those electronic cigarettes in October," he explained. "So after New Year's, that's it. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to handle it."

Dean Atkins of Cape Girardeau says he's eased himself off smoking using e-cigarettes and plans to go cold turkey next year. (Stock photo)

It's an admirable goal; one of the tried-and-true resolutions, like losing weight or curbing alcohol consumption.

But one of the ironies of the season is it comes on the heels of some of the biggest meals of the year. Many people put off their exercise regimen for days that aren't so cold, not to mention plagued by Christmas honey-ham naps.

But for Jackson resident Grace Pryce, there's a motivation to stay ahead of the holiday bulge. She doesn't so much have a resolution as much as a promise to keep running -- her favorite exercise.

"This is actually the time of the year that I focus the most on exercising right, making sure I get it in," she said. "This is the time of the year that I know I'll actually need it. I don't want to get behind during the holidays. That always makes it harder: playing catch-up."

She said that by staying ahead, she has the leeway needed to really enjoy the holiday season.

"You're not going to enjoy your family time as much if you're preoccupied worrying about counting calories or whatever," Pryce said.

She also says she makes New Years' resolutions, too, but adds that the most important thing to keep in mind is not how radical to make the change, but how to frame it sustainably.

"It has to be specific, but it has to be specific in the right way," she explained. "There's a difference between saying my resolution is to eat right and my resolution is to lose 20 pounds."

In Pryce's experience, finite-goal oriented resolutions are often less achievable.

Cape Girardeau resident David Kern says that although he tries to remain true to New Year's resolutions, "They usually don't make it past February. I usually get busy with school. When you get stressed out over things, it gets hard to take care of yourself as much as you should."

Pryce said she knows the feeling of letting a resolution slip by. She said she'd rather forget her brief period of vegetarianism.

"Yeah, I gave that one up pretty quick. Most people get discouraged or bored," she joked. "But if your goal isn't something huge, like just exercise twice a week or something, you're more likely to keep it up in the long run. And that's what matters."

Atkins said he'd agree that it's important to keep your goals attainable.

"There are a lot of things my girlfriend would probably like me to quit doing," he joked. "But I think I've got enough on my plate. I probably won't be running a marathon this year or anything. Baby steps."

tgraef@semissourian.com