Uh oh, we all know what time it is. Yep, New Year’s resolution time. The time of all great hope … and dashing disappointment. You know what I’m talking about.
Why do so many insist on doing what does not work? Year after year? This is a time of change so be a rebel, and go about this a different way. Here’s how:
Create renewable resolutions. You know – the whole green, renew, reuse and recycle theme? 😉 Don’t awaken the huge resolution monster that is waiting to kick dirt in your face and laugh at you. Save your self esteem. Encourage the element of success. Create a renewable resolution instead.
This is the difference: Usually, if you want to exercise more — as an example — you’d declare to yourself and the world that you are now going to the gym four times a week and hitting that damn cardio machine for a minimum of an hour every time. No ifs, ands or buts … and hey, baby, watch my butt dwindle by the day! Yep, you’ll probably be super-motivated, and you’ll probably last … oh, a month at best. Then life will kick in; you’ll be tired; the premiere episode of Reality Show XYZ will beckon you suggestively to the couch. End of gym and cardio. Maybe you’ll again kick back into your big ol’ resolution, but it’ll most likely die an even faster death this time.
Instead, make a promise to yourself that you’re going to move your body 15 minutes a day. (Or whatever minutes you are 100% sure you can commit to. 5 is fine, too. Resist the urge to make this bigger.) You’re telling me that’s not enough to get you to your health/fitness goal by the end of the year? Guess what? Neither is the other one. Why? Because you won’t do it. But the 15-minute commitment will most likely grow. You’ll succeed, and, at the end of the year (actually, much, much sooner), you’ll find yourself naturally, easily, routinely incorporating a good amount of exercise. Instead of the big resolution way, which will keep dropping to zero.
Why did I call it a renewable resolution? Because you renew once the resolution you’re working on is something you do routinely, effortlessly, without much thought or planning or groaning. Go back to the 15 minutes of movement example. Once 15 minutes is a no-brainer part of your day, then you renew that resolution and make it a little bigger. (Key word – little.) Renew it, and make it the 20 minutes a day movement resolution. Please resist the urge to stretch it too big. It’s only got a little give before it breaks — just like big ol’ resolution.
Final tips: Make it specific like my example. No broad statements like: I will exercise. How much? When? How? Where? Also, make it as positive as possible. So, instead of: I will stop eating so much junk food, make it: I will eat a small salad before dinner each day. (It’s positive; it’s specific; it’s do-able.) Have fun with these! Gear them toward being as enjoyable as you can, and you’ll make them last.
Good luck! May this be the year you proudly keep those darn resolutions, and you finally feel the benefit.
