Beat Your Resolutions This Year

            It's that time of year again. The day that everyone hits their magic reset button and dreams of an amazing, better version of themselves. The trending hashtag is #NewYearNewMe.  Who doesn't want to be thinner, healthier, smarter, or wealthier? We've all been guilty of this We end up setting ourselves up for failure with unrealistic expectations. After all the craziness of the holidays, it's beneficial to stop the "I want" mentality and think about what we NEED. I don't mean material things either. I'm referring to our physical, mental, and sometimes even spiritual needs.

      We all want to strive to be the best version of ourselves. We want to let go of all of the things we hate and replace them with good habits that make us feel like we're accomplishing something great. There are those unreachable expectations again; they often lead to frustration.  Just because we can't force ourselves to find interest in hobbies we wish we could enjoy doesn't mean that we can't set goals for the year. We should try to make it simple, like trying something you've never done before to see if it could possibly become a new hobby or even a passion. It's always great to put ourselves out there to find new opportunities and even meet new people along the way. Start small and let it snowball into a greater accomplishment. Make it something realistic. Instead of saying "I want to lose weight" you can encourage yourself to try new vigorous activities that you may enjoy more than you thought.  You can try adding "learn to snowboard" or "take a hike" to a list. It's easier to check things off than to change old habits.

      Last year I wrote out a list and told myself that I was going to read one book a month. I wanted to read all of these classics that have a terrible movie out representing it. I know I'm not a reader. It's not something I can do everyday without force. I took "Emma" out from the library three times before I realized that I am never going to finish it. I grew up with a mother who was an avid reader and I know that I could never read Stephen King the way she did. And Jess, the way she can read a book in a single day shows me that some people are just "readers" and that wasn't something I could learn to love. But that doesn't mean that I wont read at all. I'll just wait until the next movie adaptation comes to theater. We can't expect to just start liking things we know we don't enjoy.

     For most people, the first thought that comes to mind about new years resolutions is weight loss. I think its the first one that people go to because we all feel that our pants are a bit snug after all those Christmas cookies. Plus, it feels like a relief to put those yoga pants on. The problem is that everyone wants to change, but they don't want to leave their comfort zone. They post their resolutions to Facebook and then everyone can see that the goal didn't make it all that far. You have to change your whole lifestyle. A ton of people who don't enjoy going to the gym all of a sudden decide to get a gym membership. They should rename January "National Gym Membership Month.". We just can't help but set impractical goals for our year and get so defeated when it doesn't go well.

 

      People often feel like if they don't start  their goals in January then their resolution is ruined. You don't need a certain month to get started. As someone who lost 37 lbs., I'll be the first one to tell you that today is the best day to start changing whatever you want to fix. I started my weight loss journey on a Friday in May. I didn't wait for a Monday or after Summer was over because I wanted to eat ice cream and potato salad. I made a decision to commit to a goal. I was motivated to try Keto and I jumped in with both feet and kept with it even when it wasn't convenient. I remember saying "I could NEVER give up carbs and sugar." I surprised myself and I used all of my willpower to do it. If one diet doesn't work for you then don't get discouraged, try a different one. Weight Watchers didn't work for me because I know that I am not good with moderation. I can't eat just one cupcake. I do know that I am good with willpower, so giving up cold turkey on the Keto Diet worked for me. It's about finding whatever works for you whenever it works for you. Start when you feel motivated and roll with it.

      Some people feel like they need to revitalize their minds and cleanse themselves of negativity. There are many easy ways to make that happen. It can be spiritual motivation or even just wanting to do your part to benefit people who are in need.Your resolution could be to make a difference in the world or to be more generous. For instance, Chris and I donate money to St. Jude and Doctors without Borders every month. We give as much as we can afford to help people in need.  If you're religious it's a great way to feel fulfilled. Even if it's only a small donation, it's an easy way to keep a resolution for the long-term. Fit the donation into your budget and let the money come out automatically. Another way to help clear your mind is to clear out the clutter. Like Jessica's St. Basil post beautifully explained, we need to donate our unused belongings. There are people who will take pleasure in your junk. Don't wait to see if you can sell it either. I know the few extra bucks seems tempting, but its always better to donate as long as it gets into the right hands.

      So why not skip the gym this year and save the gym rats some aggravation while they watch you pretend to know how to use those silly weight machines. Save people from Facebook resolutions so they won't have to see that you didn't follow through. Save yourself the disappointment of feeling like you can't be someone better. These are all things most people are guilty of doing. This January give yourself a greater purpose, make a list of new life experiences you want to complete, and start anytime you feel like you need a change, but keep it reachable and see how fast you'll succeed.