Posted by: Richie Bernardo

It’s easy to make New Year’s resolutions. The hard part is keeping them. In U.S. News & World Report, clinical psychologist Joseph J. Luciani explains why 80 percent of us will fail to achieve our New Year’s goals by week two of February:

The solutions we prescribe to ourselves won’t work, Luciani argues, unless we can back them up with the “capacity to either sustain motivation or handle the inevitable stress and discomfort involved in change.”

But finding and sustaining self-motivation is half the battle. The other is making sure we’re in the right place to effect change. To help with the latter, WalletHub’s number crunchers compared the 150 largest U.S. cities across 48 key indicators of a location that’s conducive to self-improvement. Our data set ranges from “adult obesity” to “income growth” to “employment outlook.” Scroll down for the winners, expert advice and a full description of our methodology.

1. Main Findings
2. Ask The Experts
3. Methodology

Main Findings Embed on your website<iframe src="//d2e70e9yced57e.cloudfront.net/wallethub/embed/28749/geochart-resolutions.html" width="556" height="347" frameBorder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <div style="width:556px;font-size:12px;color:#888;">Source: <a href="http://ift.tt/2lefrWa; Best Cities for Keeping Your New Year’s Health Resolutions

Overall Rank	City	Total Score	‘Weight Loss & Fitness Resolutions’ Rank	‘Financial Resolutions’ Rank	‘Education & Employment Resolutions’ Rank	‘Bad-Habit Resolutions’ Rank	‘Relationships & Family Resolutions’ Rank
1	Salt Lake City, UT	68.79	3	39	19	6
2	San Francisco, CA	66.12	4	10	34	98
3	Scottsdale, AZ	65.31	8	4	4	99
4	Seattle, WA	64.56	15	6	39	120
5	Plano, TX	63.72	34	1	1	8
6	Overland Park, KS	63.46	43	3	13	15
7	Atlanta, GA	63.23	24	73	43	37
8	Irvine, CA	63.05	1	16	3	60
9	Austin, TX	62.90	59	44	5	27
10	San Jose, CA	62.85	11	11	50	2
11	San Diego, CA	61.74	6	65	45	82
12	Boise, ID	61.70	37	52	29	36
13	Orlando, FL	61.69	12	121	33	81
14	Huntington Beach, CA	61.40	2	33	16	60
15	Minneapolis, MN	61.01	55	12	52	73
16	Sioux Falls, SD	60.97	83	9	6	14
17	Honolulu, HI	60.42	54	88	18	58
18	Fremont, CA	60.36	27	2	41	22
19	Raleigh, NC	59.86	77	29	20	21
20	Miami, FL	59.62	16	149	35	4
21	Las Vegas, NV	59.54	19	85	100	112
22	Madison, WI	59.49	51	25	42	117
23	Portland, OR	59.28	18	40	83	128
24	Fort Lauderdale, FL	59.27	20	107	68	52
25	Omaha, NE	58.91	73	13	36	74
26	Tampa, FL	58.90	26	94	70	106
27	Virginia Beach, VA	58.43	39	28	44	65
28	Chandler, AZ	58.34	35	7	15	99
29	Pittsburgh, PA	58.19	60	19	60	139
30	Tempe, AZ	57.95	7	130	62	99
31	Durham, NC	57.91	69	48	24	26
32	Lincoln, NE	57.80	72	22	22	72
33	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	57.77	49	57	12	43
34	Houston, TX	57.23	87	90	66	3
35	Charlotte, NC	57.04	64	46	73	33
36	Sacramento, CA	56.75	33	72	79	108
37	Denver, CO	56.63	5	15	87	150
38	Chicago, IL	56.42	70	32	117	69
39	Pembroke Pines, FL	56.27	44	49	31	52
40	Dallas, TX	56.23	92	63	47	16
41	Santa Rosa, CA	55.92	29	76	85	50
42	Gilbert, AZ	55.88	52	5	11	99
43	Los Angeles, CA	55.47	30	132	90	29
44	San Antonio, TX	55.31	111	93	14	10
45	Santa Clarita, CA	55.08	22	83	95	29
46	Boston, MA	54.95	38	55	88	135
47	Peoria, AZ	54.61	63	8	32	115
48	Washington, DC	54.29	47	14	104	147
49	Garden Grove, CA	54.28	13	112	97	60
50	Columbus, OH	54.22	108	21	61	79
51	Oakland, CA	54.22	32	134	127	22
52	St. Paul, MN	54.16	65	23	120	92
53	Amarillo, TX	54.16	129	41	2	35
54	St. Petersburg, FL	54.10	45	71	59	125
55	Reno, NV	54.02	21	116	86	132
56	Arlington, TX	53.89	103	50	57	7
57	Colorado Springs, CO	53.84	50	61	56	139
58	Grand Rapids, MI	53.77	78	77	26	123
59	Anaheim, CA	53.69	10	125	98	60
60	Chesapeake, VA	53.64	101	31	69	34
61	Springfield, MO	53.63	90	129	10	110
62	Irving, TX	53.49	105	18	28	24
63	El Paso, TX	53.43	112	89	30	20
64	Grand Prairie, TX	53.40	128	17	27	9
65	Knoxville, TN	53.38	109	106	55	91
66	Oceanside, CA	53.20	9	131	105	82
67	Fort Worth, TX	53.17	120	30	40	19
68	Huntsville, AL	53.10	142	51	81	11
69	Des Moines, IA	53.10	124	24	101	59
70	Nashville, TN	52.92	131	26	63	85
71	Henderson, NV	52.85	57	43	58	112
72	Cincinnati, OH	52.82	74	123	80	141
73	Mesa, AZ	52.78	41	53	67	99
74	Lexington-Fayette, KY	52.77	88	64	49	116
75	Garland, TX	52.73	86	35	48	12
76	Cape Coral, FL	52.67	100	42	17	76
77	Chattanooga, TN	52.64	134	70	46	39
78	Lubbock, TX	52.59	107	118	23	49
79	Phoenix, AZ	52.54	58	56	106	99
80	St. Louis, MO	52.50	66	73	65	146
81	Rochester, NY	52.39	61	127	121	77
82	Vancouver, WA	52.35	36	60	110	124
83	New York, NY	52.33	96	101	122	51
84	Tallahassee, FL	52.27	62	146	72	94
85	Corpus Christi, TX	52.07	137	68	9	42
86	Buffalo, NY	51.99	67	86	131	107
87	Tulsa, OK	51.94	145	58	7	56
88	Long Beach, CA	51.88	23	137	137	29
89	Yonkers, NY	51.87	31	75	139	28
90	Glendale, AZ	51.86	48	100	99	99
91	Aurora, IL	51.77	89	20	92	71
92	Chula Vista, CA	51.58	14	104	108	82
93	Spokane, WA	51.53	76	78	74	136
94	Kansas City, MO	51.53	125	54	94	88
95	Glendale, CA	51.49	25	142	129	29
96	Richmond, VA	51.42	79	113	114	129
97	Riverside, CA	51.35	53	115	38	86
98	Albuquerque, NM	51.24	42	69	138	127
99	Greensboro, NC	51.04	119	91	89	41
100	Tucson, AZ	50.84	56	133	119	109
101	Fort Wayne, IN	50.56	117	34	25	96
102	Wichita, KS	50.46	121	47	118	48
103	Jersey City, NJ	50.09	81	66	143	38
104	Oklahoma City, OK	50.08	143	45	21	68
105	Modesto, CA	50.05	71	84	111	93
106	Aurora, CO	49.82	28	59	78	137
107	Fontana, CA	49.53	82	95	75	43
108	Louisville, KY	49.42	115	37	125	126
109	Jacksonville, FL	49.31	99	79	91	119
110	Winston-Salem, NC	49.25	130	97	37	47
111	Little Rock, AR	49.22	135	80	53	75
112	Port St. Lucie, FL	49.18	116	38	51	90
113	Baton Rouge, LA	49.04	136	114	77	95
114	Worcester, MA	48.86	68	87	126	131
115	Ontario, CA	48.68	94	124	71	43
116	Akron, OH	48.41	114	98	115	111
117	Anchorage, AK	48.33	106	27	76	145
118	Milwaukee, WI	48.18	98	105	103	122
119	Santa Ana, CA	48.12	17	145	128	60
120	Tacoma, WA	47.70	104	36	140	138
121	Stockton, CA	47.62	75	119	116	78
122	Norfolk, VA	47.44	110	126	124	118
123	Brownsville, TX	47.23	146	122	54	1
124	Fayetteville, NC	47.20	133	108	64	89
125	Laredo, TX	47.07	140	111	8	18
126	Newport News, VA	46.96	118	92	132	80
127	Birmingham, AL	46.88	126	139	130	54
128	Columbus, GA	46.70	127	103	102	57
129	Oxnard, CA	46.67	40	138	148	67
130	Bakersfield, CA	46.61	85	62	123	133
131	Mobile, AL	45.93	144	99	112	66
132	Moreno Valley, CA	45.68	80	128	93	86
133	Hialeah, FL	45.61	46	148	107	4
134	New Orleans, LA	45.54	138	143	84	144
135	Cleveland, OH	45.41	113	136	145	121
136	Indianapolis, IN	45.40	139	81	82	130
137	Providence, RI	45.19	97	141	134	142
138	Memphis, TN	45.10	141	120	142	25
139	Fresno, CA	44.90	91	135	147	55
140	Montgomery, AL	44.58	147	110	141	13
141	Philadelphia, PA	44.32	102	82	146	148
142	Toledo, OH	43.89	122	109	109	134
143	San Bernardino, CA	43.85	84	147	135	43
144	North Las Vegas, NV	43.56	93	102	133	112
145	Jackson, MS	43.36	149	144	113	17
146	Baltimore, MD	43.36	123	67	144	149
147	Shreveport, LA	42.45	148	96	96	97
148	Augusta, GA	41.54	150	117	136	70
149	Newark, NJ	39.38	95	150	150	40
150	Detroit, MI	37.79	132	140	149	143

 

Ask The Experts

We asked a panel of experts to explain the challenges in keeping resolutions and provide tips on overcoming them. Click on the panelists’ profiles below to read their bios and thoughts on the following key questions:

• What tips do you have for people to improve their financial habits in the new year?
• Why do so many people fail to keep their New Year’s resolutions? What can they do to increase their odds of success?
• What age-appropriate resolutions can help kids build skills and habits that’ll serve them well into adulthood?
• Does the phrasing of “New Year’s Resolutions” deter people from making them? How else can we refer to them?

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• Rosabeth Moss Kanter Ernest L. Arbuckle Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School and Chair & Director of the Harvard University Advanced Leadership Initiative
• Gabriele Oettingen Professor of Psychology at New York University

Rosabeth Moss Kanter Ernest L. Arbuckle Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School and Chair & Director of the Harvard University Advanced Leadership Initiative

What tips do you have for people looking to improve their financial habits in the new year?

For expenses and savings: set up something automatic that doesn’t require decisions -- higher payroll deduction, automatic payments directly from checking accounts for routine expenses, automatic transfers to savings or investment accounts.

For purchases: reduce or remove the impulse factor. Click “save” online, not checkout. Then see if you really want it. Set goals, and post them where you see them, with notes about progress toward the goals.

Why do so many people fail to keep their new year’s resolutions? What can they do to increase their odds of success?

Implied in my answer above is the answer to increasing odds of success: make things routine so they happen without thinking, and make it hard to change them. Also remove temptations. Hide the catalogues, don’t browse online retailers, stay focused on other sources of comfort. Also, don’t be so hard on yourself. If you want to do better than last year, think about one thing you might change in how you behaved last year, and work just on that. Some people give up on resolutions because they don’t see anything changing fast enough. Give it time. Just keep at it.

What age-appropriate resolutions can help kids build skills and habits that’ll serve them well into adulthood?

Set goals. For example, to save a portion of their allowance or earnings for a bigger item they really want. Then back to the goal posting advice above. Give them a treat for attaining each milestone -- 10 percent of the way, 40 percent of the way, etc. Also, encourage them to set aside a small amount for giving to others, even a few pennies, and help them get into the charity habit by adding a few dollars and sending donations together. Kids love picking causes and feeling that they are making a difference.

Does the phrasing of “New Year’s Resolutions” deter people from making them? How else can we refer to them?

“New Year’s Resolutions” make it sound like that’s the only time of year to build better habits and attain goals. The turn of the year. of course, wipes the slate clean for some things, like taxes, but it’s also the hardest time of year to go on diets (in northern climates, where food keeps people warm) or feel energetic (shorter days in the northern hemisphere). What it really means is a fresh start. We could do Spring Ahead resolutions, or Fall Harvest resolutions, but we don’t. We’re trapped by the calendar to think it’s a new year, when actually, a new year begins when the spring flowers pop up, and the world feels full of promise.

Gabriele Oettingen Professor of Psychology at New York University

What tips do you have for people looking to improve their financial habits in the new year?

The first tip I have is that you should think about what you really want financially during the next year (or perhaps a shorter timeframe if need be). Important is that you select something that is your own financial wish, rather than what you think other people want you to achieve -- so something that is actually dear to your heart. Also, it should be feasible. You can’t be a millionaire in days, so make sure that your wish is feasible, though still meaningful and challenging. After you come up with your wish, you should think about the nicest thing or best outcome of achieving this financial wish.

Vividly imagine how great it would feel to see your wish come true. Now, full stop. You can’t solely indulge in this positive fantasy. Positive thinking won’t get you all the way there. You have to contrast the positive future with an internal obstacle -- something in you -- that is holding you back, that is standing in the way of the wish coming true. Your obstacle can be a bad habit, a false belief, anxiety or resentment -- whatever it is, search for it and try to locate the main inner obstacle that is standing in the way. Now imagine that obstacle vividly. One last thing. Let’s make a plan. What can you do to overcome the internal obstacle that you came up with? Okay, now create an if-then plan. If the obstacle you specified occurs, then I will the behavior to overcome the obstacle that you specified.

The thought experiment you just went through is called WOOP -- Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan. WOOP will help you achieve your financial goals and change your financial behaviors. If you want to learn more, go to www.woopmylife.org and download the WOOP App. You can use WOOP for short-term and long-term financial wishes (and wishes outside of the financial domain by the way). But note, WOOP needs practice, so give it some time. Trust it -- it has been backed by numerous scientific studies and empirical research. Use it to open doors and to become more comfortable with yourself, and of course, to manage your finances.

Why do so many people fail to keep their new year’s resolutions? What can they do to increase their odds of success?

They dream. Dreaming of future success is good and can help us move forward on our goals, but only when we contrast our dreams about the future with a clear sense of reality. Specifically, the reality of our own weaknesses and internal obstacles. What in you is holding you back? Contrast your dreams of success with your internal obstacles and watch the fireworks begin.

What age-appropriate resolutions can help kids build skills and habits that’ll serve them well into adulthood?

They dream. Dreaming of future success is good and can help us move forward on our goals, but only when we contrast our dreams about the future with a clear sense of reality. Specifically, the reality of our own weaknesses and internal obstacles. What in you is holding you back? Contrast your dreams of success with your internal obstacles and watch the fireworks begin.

Does the phrasing of “New Year’s Resolutions” deter people from making them? How else can we refer to them?

I don’t think so -- again, it depends on whether they are solely dreams. When I watch the ball drop and fantasize about how great the upcoming year will be -- I’ll manage my finances so much better -- then, it might be problematic. It’s easy to get carried away with positivity around New Year’s and maybe that’s why people have such a hard time keeping their resolutions and actually changing their habits in the next year. What’s the solution? People need to contrast that positivity about the future with their internal obstacles and only then will they be able to stick with their New Year’s resolutions and make them come true for the long-term.

Methodology

In order to determine the best cities for keeping your New Year’s resolutions, WalletHub’s analysts compared the 150 most populated U.S. cities across five key dimensions: 1) Weight Loss & Fitness Resolutions, 2) Financial Resolutions, 3) Education & Employment Resolutions, 4) Bad-Habit Resolutions and 5) Relationships & Family Resolutions.

We then evaluated those dimensions using 48 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with 100 representing the most favorable conditions for achieving one’s New Year’s goals. Data for metrics marked with an asterisk (*) were available only at the state level.

Finally, we calculated the overall score for each city using its weighted average across all metrics and used the resulting scores to rank the cities accordingly.

Weight Loss & Fitness Resolutions – Total Points: 20

• Adult Obesity: Double Weight (~4.44 Points)Note: This metric measures the percentage of adults who are obese.
• Lack of Exercise: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)Note: This metric measures the percentage of adults who report doing no exercise.
• Access to Exercise Opportunities: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
• Access to Healthy Food Stores: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
• Inadequate Fruit & Vegetable Consumption: Full* Weight (~2.22 Points)Note: This metric measures the percentage of adults who eat fewer than one serving of fruit or vegetables per day.
• Gyms per Capita: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
• Weight-Loss Centers per Capita: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)
• Average Monthly Fitness-Club Fee: Full Weight (~2.22 Points)

Financial Resolutions – Total Points: 20

• Median Annual Income: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)Note: This metric was adjusted by the cost of living.
• Income Growth (2011–2015): Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
• Average Credit Score: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
• Median Credit-Card Debt per Person as a Share of the Median Earnings: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
• Debt Delinquency Rate: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)Note: This metric measures the percentage of residents who are delinquent on their debts.
• Mortgage Debt per Person as a Share of Median Income: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
• Non-Mortgage Debt per Person as a Share of Median Income: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
• Debt-to-Income Ratio: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
• Emergency Savings: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)Note: This metric measures the percentage of households that saved for unexpected expenses or emergencies in the past 12 months.
• Homeownership Rate: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
• Rental Affordability: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)Note: This metric was calculated as follows: Annual Price for a Two-Bedroom Apartment Rental / Median Annual Household Income.
• Housing Affordability: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)Note: This metric was calculated as follows: Median House Price / Median Annual Household Income.
• Poverty Rate: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)
• Credit-Card Comparison: Full Weight (~1.43 Points)Note: This metric measures the real intent of residents to compare credit cards.

Education & Employment Resolutions – Total Points: 20

• Public School System Score: Double Weight (~2.67 Points)
• Average Quality of Universities: Full Weight (~1.33 Points)
• High School Dropout Rate: Full Weight (~1.33 Points)
• Job Opportunities: Full Weight (~1.33 Points)Note: This metric was calculated as follows: Number of Job Openings per Number of Population in Labor Force Minus Unemployment Rate.
• Median Annual Income: Full Weight (~1.33 Points)Note: This metric was adjusted by the cost of living.
• Income Growth (2011–2015): Full Weight (~1.33 Points)
• Unemployment Rate: Double Weight (~2.67 Points)
• Underemployment Rate: Double Weight (~2.67 Points)
• Job Security: Full Weight (~1.33 Points)Note: This metric was calculated as follows: (Number of Employees in 2015 – Number of Employees in 2014) / Number of Employees in 2014
• Job Satisfaction: Full Weight (~1.33 Points)
• Employment Outlook: Full Weight (~1.33 Points)Note: This metric is based on the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.
• Business Startup-Friendliness: Full Weight (~1.33 Points)Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best Cities to Start a Business” ranking.

Bad-Habit Resolutions – Total Points: 20

• Binge- & Heavy Drinking: Full Weight (~5.00 Points)Note: This metric measures the age-adjusted prevalence of binge- and heavy drinking among adults aged 18 and older.
• Smoking Rate: Full Weight (~5.00 Points)Note: This metric measures the percentage of adults who are current smokers.
• Illicit Drug Use: Full* Weight (~5.00 Points)Note: This metric measures the percentage of adults who used illicit drugs.
• Drug Overdose-Related Deaths: Full Weight (~5.00 Points)

Relationships & Family Resolutions – Total Points: 20

• Nightlife Establishments per Capita: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
• Restaurants per Capita: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
• Attractions: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)Note: “Attractions” include, for instance, zoos, museums and theaters.
• Park Playgrounds per Capita: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
• Parkland Acres per Capita: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
• Average Wedding Cost as a Share of Median Household Income: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)
• Family-Friendliness: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst Cities for Families” ranking.
• Fun Opportunities: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Most Fun Cities” ranking.
• Singles-Friendliness: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst Cities for Singles” ranking.
• Sports Fan-Friendliness: Full Weight (~2.00 Points)Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best Sports Cities” ranking.

 

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development, Council for Community and Economic Research, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Wedding Report, County Health Rankings, Yelp, Numbeo, TransUnion, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, GreatSchools, U.S. News & World Report, Indeed, Chmura Economics & Analytics, ManpowerGroup, TripAdvisor, The Trust for Public Land and WalletHub research.

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