If you follow the New Year’s tradition of making a resolution or ten, then you are probably in the midst of whatever lifestyle change you promised yourself for the year. Unfortunately, these promises we make ourselves don’t usually live to see February. That’s because we are doing it wrong. When you choose to change 2 or 3 major things at one time just because it is January 1st, the likelihood of it becoming a reality decreases. My question is… why do we need a specific calendar date and some glittery confetti to promise ourselves that we are going to be better in some way? In my opinion, resolutions should be made throughout the year whenever one identifies a problem or desires a change that they really want to achieve. Personally, I have done this before and experienced some of the methods that can really help in making that change.
The first thing we have to do is visualize the change. If you are at all familiar with The Secret then this will not be a new concept to digest. If not, the basic principle is this: If you believe it enough and you see it then it will eventually become a reality, just keep believing it and working towards it. This of course has limits and your expectations should be realistic. If you want to lose X amount of weight, make sure your goal is within a reasonable timeframe and picture yourself at a healthy weight rather than trying those crash diets and attempting to lose 5 kilos in a week. When it comes to weight, fast results yield even faster setbacks. Picture an entire change in your lifestyle starting with small things like eliminating carbohydrates at night and increasing your gym visits from twice a week to four times a week. Over time, the change you want will begin to show in both your health and your physique.
The second step is to put motivation all around you, from people that encourage you, to images that will drive you towards that goal. Instagram is a huge help when it comes to motivational factors, especially for weight loss and working out (I keep using this as a reference because it is one of the most common resolutions other than quitting smoking). I have recently followed countless fitness and healthy nutrition accounts. This way, something good can come out of incessantly scrolling through Instagram that isn’t just a general nosiness towards what friends are up to lately.
Another push is to arm yourself with whatever will encourage you to fulfill your goals. If it is gym related, get some amazing new gym clothes and shoes so that you are encouraged to put them on, stop making excuses and just go. If you want to eat better then make a conscious effort to get the junk out of your house so that the temptation to eat it will disappear. If you are quitting cigarettes for the millionth time, always make sure you have a pack of gum close to you so that you occupy the desire to light one up.
If I could say one last piece of advice it is to consider every day the beginning of a new year, and to realize that every time is a great one to promise yourself a certain goal or positive change in life. One of the fitness accounts I follow on Instagram posted a quote that, for lack of a better description, was just so true. “A year from now, you will wish you had started today.” There is no perfect month, day, or even time of day to start. Make now whenever you want it to be and just commit. Happy January!
