Still got resolve? Keeping those pesky New Year's resolutions By Katy England edge staff writer kengland@themaineedge.com Every year it seems to be the same thing: Everyone's making resolutions and a couple weeks later they're quits. And really, I can't blame people for not sticking with things that end up being a drag. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try, especially if it's for your own good or the good of others. Start small Sometimes the biggest problem with New Year's resolutions is the ungodly scope that some people give them. I mean, we're talking monumental feats of willpower and endurance, including quitting smoking, dieting, exercising, cleaning house and all manner of awful (but good for you) and difficult resolutions. So, how do you do it? I started small. Last year, I resolved to exercise more. I hate exercise. It's uncomfortable, painful, sweaty, and makes me short of breath. I couldn't stand it. But I also wasn't a huge fan of my belly starting to poke over my jeans. Knowing full well I couldn't start a full-on, no-holds-barred, hour-long work out (not without puking and giving up the next day, at any rate), I decided I'd start small, with one 10-minute workout per week. Slowly, I upped the length of the workout and how many times a week I'd exercise (up to three half-hour sessions per week and I could do 100 sit-ups, 30 pushups, and a million jumping jacks, etc.). My husband, enjoying the fact that I was keeping my belly on the correct side of my jeans, also started working out and even made me some CDs to flail about to. This year, I decided I was going to get organized. Anyone who knows me or has caught a glimpse of my work desk (or worse, seen inside my car) might get the impression that this is impossible. However, I've come to grips with the fact that what I consider organized and what another person does are drastically different ideals. I'm okay with that. Again, I'm starting small. The first thing I did was remove "Bejewled Blitz" from my Facebook page. That insanely fun game was also part of the reason why I never cleaned my desk ("just one more game, it'll only take a minute..."). Tasks like remodeling the house, a change in eating habits and other chores can be made bearable by tackling them in baby steps. Instead of cutting fast food out of your life entirely, opt to cut back on the number of days you visit them, or switch to a healthier option. Lots of fast food restaurants offer salads, parfaits and other choices that don't involve gooey burgers. If re-doing the kitchen is on your resolution list, you might want to start by picking out a paint color or sorting through your pots and pans to thin out duplicates. Call backup Just because you had the idea for the resolution all by yourself doesn't mean you have to face the daunting task alone. There are many people in this wide world just waiting to help you stick to your resolution. Like your friends. If you resolved to hit the gym three times a week, you may have an easier time of it if you go with your best buddy. You get a combination of moral support and social activity to keep you going when you'd rather be home in your PJs and slippers, watching TV and eating chips. You can also take advantage of many gyms' personal trainers and fitness programs. If there's already a schedule in place, it's easier to stick to it. If you're trying to quit smoking, talk to your doctor for resources to help you quit. Call the tobacco help line or try to get the resources you need to kick the habit. Another option for help is visiting a licensed hypnotherapist. Unlike the hocus-pocus of Hollywood, a professional hypnotherapist won't tell you that she can perform miracles; the goal is to help you facilitate self-hypnosis. "All hypnosis is self-hypnosis," said Tonja Edgecombe, licensed hypnotherapist. "We're a facilitator." She explained that hypnosis isn't all that uncommon; in fact, everyone hypnotizes themselves twice a day: When you're going to bed or waking up, you're passing through a hypnotic stage. She said that she converses with her clients, tries to find out what their goals are and ensures that they are attainable. She said it's impossible to make someone do something they don't actually want to do or that's against someone's nature. "I can't make you do anything. You can bring yourself out of self-hypnosis at any time," said Edgecombe. "Any ethical hypnotherapist isn't going to make a suggestion you didn't agree to." She said that the goals of the sessions are to teach you how to self-hypnotize so you can continue to help yourself after your sessions have completed. The effort is to tap into the subconscious mind and change the root impulse of some of these behaviors. If speaking in front of crowds gets your stomach tied in knots or you can't figure out why you eat when you're bored, Edgecombe can help you navigate these urges and eventually change how they affect you. "We are all filled with potential and hypnosis helps to make that [potential] come out," she said. To make an appointment, call 949-2082. Do something fun Is there some rule in life that states your resolution has to be something you can't stand? Too often we torture ourselves with resolutions that promise nothing but misery and boredom and then wonder why we don't keep them. There are plenty of things that can simultaneously improve your life that also happen to be fun. Resolve to try something new. This could be anything from skydiving to simply picking something new off the menu of your favorite restaurant. You could make an effort to try something new each month, and see where that little adventure takes you. Try a new restaurant, go to that concert of the band you've always loved, take your spouse or significant other dancing or learn how to cook a new dessert. If there's something you've always been jonesing to do, now's the time to resolve to do it. Learn a new skill, be it something crafty like knitting, crocheting or scrapbooking, or deciding to return to school to hone your skills for the job market. If you've always wanted to try your hand at drawing or painting, why not dive in? There are lots of places where you can learn a new craft or skill, and many have minimal costs, especially your local adult ed. programs. Getting involved in different sports and activities can be a fun way to stay in shape and meet new people. Getting better and better You don't have to start from scratch when it comes to the New Year – you can keep getting better. Deciding to focus your attention to improve a skill you already possess can be a great thing for this year. Whether you dabble in photography, are an amateur basketball player or you just want to fine-tune your mechanic skills, it can be very fulfilling to go from a jack of all trades to a master. This can come in the form of formal classes, finding a pal who shares your passion who is also willing to share their knowledge, or simply doing more of what you already love. Maybe you dedicate an extra hour or two a day on whatever project you've set your heart on. Or once a week, or once a month – it's finding whatever you have time for and enjoying what you love. I can completely sympathize with people who are tired of wasting their time and positive energy on making a resolution. It doesn't make you bad or lazy. Heck, you may just be so together that you don't need a reboot on the New Year. I, on the other hand, will continue to try to clean my desk on a weekly basis. Who knows, maybe someday soon I'll even vacuum.