New Year's Resolutions

新年新希望Tips for making lasting resolutions by新年正是在生活中力求改变得大好机会！ Pamela Osment

Happy New Year!
Today, many of us begin trying to keep our New Year’s resolutions. But unfortunately, most of us will give up on them before the month is over. Why do we bother to make these yearly pledges? And why are they so hard to keep?

Why make them?
Each new year brings the chance to start over and make a new beginning. It seems like the perfect time to deal with some of our habits that are not very desirable. During the holiday season, which begins with Thanksgiving, Americans usually eat too much. that could explain why the first resolution on many lists is to lose weight!
Along with eating too much comes spending too much At Christmastime, people sometimes spend more than they can afford. This often involves using credit cards instead of cash. After the holidays, many are ready to take control of their lives. And New Year's feels like the ideal time to start!

Why can't we keep them?
An American writer wrote, "No one likes change but babies in diapers." Making permanent changes can be difficult because it often involves changing the way we act. When doctors tell patients they will die unless they make lifestyle changes most don't listen. In fact researchers have found that only one in seven makes the necessary changes!
We cling to our habits even when they're not good for us. And we resist change even when it's our own idea. So how can we follow through on our resolutions?

Here are three tips can help us:
Make them positive
Negative language makes us feel like we're being punished. Replace "I won't eat sweets" with "I'll enjoy more of my favorite fruit each day.

Make them specific
Don't say, "I'll exercise more this year." Instead say, "I'll walk around the park four times a week.”

Make them realistic
After three months, review your goals. If they're not working, change or replace them with new ones. You'll have greater success keeping your resolutions if they realistically match your lifestyle.

Grammar
Along with eating too much comes spending too much.
"Along with something comes something else" is a great sentence patent to use when you try to describe "two things or two situating is about happening at the same time"
Along with having to take the dog out for walks comes bathing it regularly.
Along with the free buffet dinner comes a complimentary pass to the spa.

Vocabulary
resolution -决心,决定Nothing can change her resolution to go to college.
New Year Resolution-新年新希望
My new Year's resolution was to read a good book each week.
pledge-保证,誓言,宣誓
The candidate made the pledge to lower taxes and decrease unemployment失业
Will the president keep his pledge to improve national health care?
Both countries pledged to a cease fire.宣誓停火(停止开战)
desirable-令人想要的,中意的或吸引人的.able to be desired (wanted). desire (v)渴望
Being a doctor is considered a desirable job. 理想的工作.People respect them, and the job pays well.受到人们的尊敬,收入菲浅.
Prior experience is desirable to obtain the job, but not necessary.过去的经验比较有益于.
cling-坚持,墨守The manager was criticized for clinging to old ideas. 过去式或过去分词-clung
The mother clung to the hope that her son would return home safely one day.坚持
resist-抗拒,抵制The soldiers tried to resist the invasion of the enemy but failed. re-有对抗之意
The older residents of this building resist the idea of renovation.老住客抵制.整修的想法
realistic-务实的,实事求是的, 脚踏实地的,real (adj)真实的
For now, renting an apartment seems a more realistic option than buying a house.

Chat Room
Lose Weight vs. Weight loss 减肥
Lose Weight is verb phrase. "I want to lose weight this year."
Weight loss is noun phrase, (adj. 用来形容technique or program) 减肥方法或减肥课程.
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Change-改变,改换
a change of diapers-换尿布
"No one likes change but babies in diapers".所有人都不喜欢改环,给婴孩换尿布除外.即是说"要做出永久的改变,更是难上加难".