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Remember those horrible “if/then statements” from high school geometry? Maybe I just remember them as horrible because I am a math moron. I bring up if/then statements only because they do have a real life application when it comes to New Year’s Resolutions.

There is a large percentage of the population who make resolutions to do things that will help make them healthier. Take a wild stab at what month local gyms are the busiest. And have you noticed every sales flyer this week had sales on exercise equipment? Yep. We resolve every January to do the healthy thing for ourselves and about mid February, we’re back to the same old, same old.

There are two primary things I notice in working with people attempting to make lifestyle changes that tend to derail them. One, is that they have expectations of perfection. It is the very rare person who lives a perfectly healthy life. Number two is that they don’t make themselves a priority. Moms are especially bad at this, because everyone else’s needs come first.

Which brings me back to if/then statements. If/then statements can help with both of the common derailers. Let’s think through this. You’ve purchased the gym membership and have made your goal “I will do cardiovascular activity (CVA) for 30 minutes per day, three days per week”. Well defined goal. So you get two great days in on the elliptical and you’re going strong when BAM – a blizzard hits and you can’t get to the gym! Oh no, there’s no contingency plan! So the goal is not met and it is the start of the relapse into old habits.

So here’s a rework of the goal using several if/then statements.  If the gym is open, then I will do 30 minutes of CVA, 3 days per week. If the weather is bad, then I will use my Wii Fit.  Even though something imperfect tries to derail me, I have my contingency plan! It can work the same with food. If a coworker brings brownies to work, then I will take ONE brownie to my desk and do nothing else while I enjoy every bite of it. The brownie isn’t perfectly planned either, but one is way better than three!

So let’s move on to the “self as priority” problem. I personally experience the difficulties of making my health a priority when I’m being pulled in different directions like a piece of homemade taffy. So this is where if/then statements really come in handy, because life is full of curve balls, especially when you have kids! So when basketball practice gets changed to the time I had planned a workout, here is where the pre-planned if/then statement comes in handy. If I have to run kids around during my workout time, then I will get up early the next morning to fit it in. Or if we end up eating drive-thru for supper, then I will get a grilled chicken sandwich without the fries.

So all together now…..If this is the year I am going to make my health a priority, then I will be prepared for life’s little imperfections.

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About the author: Becky Sullivan

Becky Sullivan is the Business Health Coordinator at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital. She earned a Master of Science Degree in Health Promotion from Nebraska Methodist College. In her role at the hospital she works with local businesses in setting up wellness programs and activities, coordinates community health education programs and directs the MLMH employee wellness program. She is also co-chair of the Hastings Chamber of Commerce Wellforce committee, member of the Hastings Health Ministry Network and member of the Healthy Hastings coalition.