This Is Your Year
Do you know what this year’s top resolution is? Hint: It’s not ‘lose weight’. According to the radio station I was listening to, the number one resolution is to exercise more, the number two resolution is to eat healthier, number three is to save money and not until number four is lose weight.
This subtle shift between wanting to live a healthy lifestyle (exercise and eating clean) versus just losing weight is really refreshing. Most of us have been on the yo-yo diet path and it leads to misery.
I speak from experience: I used to be 50 pounds overweight. I had made New Year’s resolutions in the past, but it wasn’t until I was 38 (and size 14) that I figured out how to shake the weight and keep it off by establishing new behaviors. Here are some tips to make your resolutions work for you:
- BE BOLD!
Small goals don’t have the power to excite you! Show me a person who says, ‘I want to get toned’ and I’ll show you a person who’s sitting on the couch by January 5th. But show me a woman who says, ‘I want to train for the New York City Marathon’ and I’ll show you a woman who’s running on that treadmill every day until she crosses that finish line.
- Remember there’s a deadline.
At the end of each month, check in on your progress. Was your goal to lose 50 pounds by the end of the year? That averages out to one pound per week, or four pounds per month. Write down your weight at the start and finish of each month. If you really want to hold yourself accountable, take front and back progress pictures each week wearing your favorite bathing suit. Not only does this help keep you accountable, it helps to encourage you midway through the year when it helps to remind yourself how far you have come already.
- Celebrate small wins.
A lot of people give up because they see where they are today and look at the gap between where they are and where they want to be and just figure it’s impossible and quit. Remember: no one starts their fitness journey at the top of the mountain. We all start at our own distinct beginning and take it one step at a time. There will be obstacles, but milestones too. Did you just drop a dress size? Celebrate with a massage, a new book on a topic that interests you or a long nap. Whatever brings you (non-food related) joy is fair game. As you claim your prizes you are reminded of your victories along the way.
You have one body; treat her well! When you do you are silently giving your friends, family and children permission to likewise make healthier choices. You never know who is watching you and how your new behaviors could inspire someone else to be healthier too.
From the first day to the last day of the year, make 2019 the best year of your life.
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