[qodef_blockquote text=”If I hear another New Year’s resolution, I think I’m going to scream!” title_tag=”h4″ width=””]
This statement is becoming more and more prevalent these days. As people witness their friends, family and co-workers start out the New Year exclaiming with boldness their New Year’s resolution. Only to be interrupted weeks and sometimes even days later.
Disappointment looms within as we see this person weaken, back track and eventually succumb to failure at the resolution previously proclaimed. Nowadays many don’t even attempt to make a New Year’s resolution. A time when they take a look at the year gone by. Access and then pick an area of their life that they would like to see some personal improvement. Something that would benefit their personal well being and possibly that of others.
Topping the charts for New Year’s resolutions is weight loss and improved health. Many find the festive months behind them and the winter months ahead and realize that these two factors coupled together, simply do not stand in their favor; including the scale. With great conviction they decide to shave down those inches around the waistline in preparation for adorning those cute spring and summertime get ups, waiting to be revealed only a few months ahead. The conviction assures them that it will not be difficult to face the “battle of bulge”.
They begin to shout from the roof tops that their resolution is a sure fire plan. They are going to decrease those inches recently acquired from the holidays and even loose a few more that mysteriously may have been picked up over the last few years. Yet, seemingly what was going to be a breeze to accomplish suddenly has turned into a nightmare and their motivation quickly turns to frustration; why? Firstly, if you’ve made the resolution towards health and weight loss, you’ve made a good one. No matter when you make it. Being healthy is something that we should be striving for 24/7 and 365 days of the year. You are to be applauded for your desire to make a healthy change. Your desires are warranted and for you to succeed you will need to have a well founded plan. That’s right; a plan.
New Year’s resolutions do not fail if they are executed with more than just emotion at the helm. A strategy from start to finish is the way to accomplish any resolution, including the one’s that most think about at the dawning of a New Year. So you’ve made the ‘healthy’ resolution. That’s great! Here are a few bricks of knowledge for you to securely build the foundation to make your way to a healthy you in 2015.
Now go for it!
- Don’t be so hard on yourself – Understand that as the season’s change the sun begins to go down earlier and we have less sunlight. Sunlight affects your mood as a mood enhancer. The lack of it can bring on the winter doldrums. This is no excuse; it’s just something to be aware of when you feel like you are losing motivation. You’re not a bear and you do not need to hibernate. Try to get 10-20 minutes of natural sunlight each day during the winter months
- Remind yourself of why you’ve made this healthy resolution – place photos of your children, spouse and other loved ones on the refrigerator. They want you healthy
- Use post it notes – stick randomly around your home, office, car, etc. Write little notes of encouragement to yourself. This really works to steer you quickly away from temptation
- Plan ahead – create weekly meal plans, exercise routine, time to spend with family, friends and time for yourself
- Educate yourself – read books, watch videos, listen to podcasts related to health. Then journal what you are discovering about how to care for you
- Get accountability partner – partner with someone you know that you must call once a week to check in with.
Give yourself a reward if you’ve met your resolution for that week (i.e.; purchase a new item of clothing that you’ve wanted or treat yourself to a movie or book).
On the flip side; give yourself a penalty if you’ve not met the resolution that week (i.e.; clean your friends kitchen after you’ve made them a healthy meal. Or take a walk with your friend and share with them why you skipped a beat on your resolution that particular week. Then proceed forward on to the next week.
You Can Do It! Remember, yesterday is passed and tomorrow lies ahead of you to complete the resolution that you’ve made this New Year.
Now go for it!
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