I don't do New Year's Resolutions.

It was at least ten years ago I decided New Year's Resolutions weren't for me. I'd make them and fail. The next year I would make a smaller, easier resolution and fail. I got tired of failing so I quit making them.

As the clock winds down on 2013 an illustration I heard from Chip Ingram comes to mind. I can go to the gym and try to bench press 100 pounds. It doesn't matter what bar I use or how much I think I can do it or even how many times I try.  I CANNOT bench 100 pounds. At least not now...

But if I go to the gym and train to bench a 100 pounds, in time I will be able to do it.

My approach this year to New Year's Resolutions is one of training to accomplish them.

My husband and I would like to pay off our debt. We can try to do it and we'll fail.  We've tried and tried. But if we train to do it, we'll have a shot.  For example, we are going to start by saving "x" dollars out of each paycheck, so if we have an unexpected expense we don't have to put it on credit, we can use our savings. We are also going to go back on a budget and start by focuses on groceries.  We are going to use a cash budget when we go to the store.  Every grocery trip I'll bring "x" dollars in cash and have to spend that amount or less--no using the debit card.

I would personally like to take off the last 25 pounds of "baby" weight. Well, I suck at diets. I'm just not disciplined in that area.  But I can train to loose that weight by drinking more water each day, which will help me lose weight. I can add a veggie to every meal by putting peppers in my eggs for breakfast and bring veggies (with dip) to have with my lunch.  That will increase my fiber intake which will help me lose weight and keep me full longer.

So what are you going to train to do during 2014? 

One idea to help you accomplish your New Year's Resolution is coming up with a 12-step plan. Make a goal for each month and by the end of the year you will have developed 12 lifestyle changes that will help you fulfill your resolution.  If you are training for a marathon or even a 5K you add distance little by little. Creating a training plan does the same thing. It's making changes little by little. And with each change you get closer and closer to achieving your resolution. One step at a time. Here is an idea for finances:

MY TRAINING PLAN FOR MY FINANCES:
January, track all my spending and create a budget for each month
February, save $15 out of each paycheck
March, go to a cash budget for groceries (this means that I only bring "x" dollars to the grocery store, I do not use plastic EVER. If I plan to spend $400 on groceries for the month and at the end of the month only have $20 it looks like rice and beans and generic cereal.)
April, save $25 out of each paycheck
May, go to a cash budget for entertainment (going out to dinner, movies, social events, etc.)
June, limit my "treat" to once a week.  (This could be starbucks, McDonald's breakfast, happy hour)
July, Review my budget and make adjustments, discover places I can make cuts, and save more money or pay off more debt. Reward myself for my effort and my stick-to-it-ness so far. Get a massage, buy a new purse, etc.
August, save $35 out of each paycheck
September, try generics and see where I can save more money on my grocery bill
October, create my Christmas list and budget now--start looking for deals. Decide what I'm going to spend on each person now, requests lists to plan accordingly.
November, go to a cash budget for my clothing budget
December, DO NOT overspend--stick to my plan I created in October. Stay away from malls and impulse buying.

Here is an idea for becoming more healthy:

MY TRAINING PLAN FOR BECOMING MORE HEALTHY:
January,  increase my water intake to 48 oz. a day
February, go to the gym and workout 8 times per month (that's about 1 once every 4 days)
March, have a serving of vegetables for lunch every day
April, eat breakfast every day
May, have fruit for my morning snack
June, limit myself to one pop per day
July, limit myself to my "treat" once per week (Starbucks, McDonald's breakfast, happy hour, etc.)
August, increase my water intake to 64 oz a day
September, go to the gym and workout 12 times per month
October, Get move your "vice" from the house. (Ice cream, chips, chocolate, etc.)
November, have at least 3 vegetables servings every day
December, add a fruit serving to my day, in addition to my morning fruit snack

These are just a few ideas. You'll have to create what works for you. But post it somewhere you can see it everyday. Set reminders on your calendar to remind you of your training schedule. You can do it. You can train and accomplish your New Year's Resolution THIS YEAR!