Resolutions

It’s that time of the year when all the gluttony of the holidays has a way of waking us up on January 2nd or 3rd and reminding us that we are not happy.  We think back through the previous year and start to lay out all the things that fell short.  Basically we usually set New Years Resolutions that are unattainable and basically just punishment.  We hope that the first of the year will bring about a person that can somehow change years of habits, because we said so.  

FUCK THAT

I have split feelings about New Years Resolutions.  On one hand, the new year can be a great time to think back and reevaluate some negative habits and come up with a game plan to help eliminate them.  But on the other hand, resolutions are usually so grand and so general that they are not attainable or realistic.

Lets dig a little deeper into my brain that is filled with opinions that suite me and maybe you’ll find it entertaining enough to keep reading.  

The pros of Resolutions:

As the year comes to an end and the holiday decorations get put back into storage.  There can be a renewal, a sort of cleansing of the soul.  It is a time to reflect on the past year and look ahead to the unknown of the upcoming year.  I love to embrace that time, spend some time thinking about all the accomplishments of the past year.  Take a long bath or a long walk or just spend some time alone staring off into space.  But think hard about the times when you went out of your way to help someone, or you cleaned out your garage when you didn’t want to, or you did something fun with your kids.  Before you make a new resolution, make sure to give yourself a few hi-fives from last year.  And then spend equal time thinking about what you really want for the upcoming year.  Think of ways that you would want to make a better version of yourself.  And don’t be too quick to make resolutions.  Just spend some time thinking about it.  Most of the time our first ideas might not be the ones we actually want, sometimes those first ideas are just the ones we think we should want.  

After spending some much needed time with yourself and your thoughts, only now is the time to start honing in on some resolutions.  And I suggest, be specific and be realistic.  You can define that however you want, but if you are 60 days in and you aren’t keeping up with it, I would wager you weren’t specific, or realistic, or you might just be someone who doesn’t really care and thats alright too.  

The cons of Resolutions:

I want to lose 20 pounds this year, I want to get in better shape, I want to eat better, I want to fit into a size 4.  Maybe you write it down, put it on the fridge, maybe you join a gym, maybe you pick up the latest copy of Self Magazine.  FUCK THAT!!!!

These types of resolutions are usually unrealistic, some have no specifics and they usually take so much will power and motivation that we are exhausted by the time February comes.  Most of the time people have an image that after wearing a size 10 or 12 for five or more years that their body is going to happily transform half its size and be so excited for all the changes.  Wrong.  Your body loves to be the same.  Your body would be happiest if you gave the resolution that you wouldn’t gain or lose one pound all year.  People want to eat better, but what does that mean?  Does it mean no desserts?  No alcohol?  I hope not.  Does it mean more veggies?  More water?  Getting closer.  Maybe eat veggies two meals a day.  Drink at least 65 ounces of water every day.  

That is not actually my point.  My point is to sit down and plan out how you are going to lose 20 pounds.  Plan out how you are going to deal with the bad days and how you can bounce back after the really bad days.  Plan out consistency and plan out birthdays and holidays.  Get in the habit of meal planning and scheduling workouts and walks.  Even schedule in time with friends and time alone.  But game plan the shit out of the year so that you have both feet firmly planted and ready roll.  

Personally, I think health and fitness goals should be 30 day resolutions.  If you can cut out candy for 30 days, try 30 more days, and after so many of those maybe you’ll get to a year.  Go to the gym three times a week for 30 days.  If you make it, do 30 more.  

Happy New Year and Happy Resolution Making.  My resolutions this year are to be a more patient driver, read a book a month and a few others that I will explain in detail another day.