COLUMN: Resolutions take shape

At the beginning of the semester, a friend and I decided to start exercising in the mornings at the Wellness Center as a way to start being more intentional about our health and well-being.

To be honest I don’t know what I was thinking. While I do enjoy mornings, I don’t enjoy forcing myself, or being forced at times, to walk, jog or jog faster. While I do enjoy the calm and stillness of winter, I don’t enjoy walking to the Wellness Center at 7 a.m. in below-zero temperatures.

At one point my friend and I pointed out to each other that while our workouts might not be the most effective, it was important that we were sticking to our resolution and at the very least, starting somewhere.

And while I may not have a clue what I was thinking when I decided to start running in the mornings, I do know what I was thinking when it became a joint decision: accountability is the way to go.

Let’s face it: it’s a new year and a new semester and even if you didn’t publicly announce a resolution or two, chances are you made a few to yourself you’re hoping to work on. No matter what your resolution is, whether it’s exercising in the morning, not skipping any classes or maybe even just attempting to become a better student, get someone else in on it.

Find a friend, an acquaintance or a friend of a friend to join with you in your decision to develop better habits because while it’s easy to remain steadfast now, it’s going to become increasingly difficult as the semester and year progresses.

Accountability partners or groups are a great way to strengthen previous friendships or develop new ones. Find someone you know who will be honest and straightforward with you and be willing to accept a little prodding now and again.

No matter what resolution you have, or maybe haven’t yet made, try the tried-and-true buddy system. Find someone who shares similar interests and make your goal a priority. You’ll feel better about fulfilling your pledges. Good luck.