How to keep your New Year's resolutions going past January - and what to do if you slip up
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Every January, millions of people vow to change their lives. Whether it's quitting smoking, going to the gym, or losing weight, New Year's resolutions come with the promise of a fresh start. But come February and the dumbbells start gathering dust and you may find a packet of Marlboros in your jacket after one too many in the pub.
![[Chris, pictured with Paul McKenna, says willpower isn't enough when it comes to sticking to your goals]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/15/94080819-14283627-image-a-2_1736868111636.jpg)
In fact, research shows 80 per cent of Brits give up on their New Year goals by the second month of the year. Chris Meaden, a leading trauma and anxiety therapist, trusted by royalty and celebrities alike, says the key to sticking to your targets isn't willpower - it's understanding how the brain works.
![[Many people commit to stopping smoking at the start of the year - just to slip up. Stock image used]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/15/94083383-14283627-image-a-6_1736868704634.jpg)
'Most people try to brute-force their way into change, but habits aren't formed through sheer determination,' he explained. 'They're built by reprogramming the brain's reward systems and creating new neural pathways.'. With decades of experience treating trauma, anxiety, and addiction, Chris has helped countless people break free from old patterns and create lasting change through The Meaden Clinic.
![[Losing weight is another common New Year's resolution which is often not stuck to. Stock image used]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/15/94083397-14283627-image-a-7_1736868739252.jpg)
If you've ever sworn to start jogging or eat more vegetables, only to give up weeks later, you're not alone. Chris Meaden (pictured), a leading trauma and anxiety therapist, believes that understanding how the brain works is crucial for those who want to see through their New Year's resolutions.
![[Another strategy for sticking to your goals - whether saving money or exercising more - is by telling someone else about them. Stock image used]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/15/94083409-14283627-image-a-8_1736868906503.jpg)
The expert says it's because most resolutions are built on shaky foundations. 'We set unrealistic goals, assume we'll magically stay motivated, and then beat ourselves up when we fall short,' he said. 'That cycle of shame and failure is a recipe for disaster.'.
