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Resolving not to resolve too much

24 December 2009 38 Comments

Wow. That was fast. Another year gone. 2010 starts NOW. Are you ready? What’s in store for you this year? I’m not big on resolutions, but I am big on keeping reality in check. For me, the most important thing is to make sure that I, my family, and friends are happy, healthy, and doing the best that they can.

As a fitness professional, we see January as our biggest month. It’s THE month. The one where everyone vows to get in shape for good. Lose those last 10 lbs, get abs of steel, and eat only organic, clean foods for the rest of their lives. Sigh. And by February, we see all of those passionate people fade away, caught up in a web of real life, chocolate hearts, and comfort foods.

The thing is, that’s what they should have been focusing on the whole time! Real life. Instead of setting yourself up with unreasonable goals, how about taking it one day at a time, making mini goals as you go along. Real life gets in the way, unless you are a 22 year old independently wealthy person with endless time on your hands. And even that has it’s own pitfalls as well. (I mean, I assume it does:))

This year, instead of setting yourself up for those inevitable downfalls, set yourself up for happiness every day. Make the most of what you have. You know that you want to look good, feel good, and live a vibrant life. So attempt that every day. Do what makes you feel good, both inside and out. Writing the goals down when you get up may be an option. And then going back at the end of the day to see what actually happened can be an exercise in resilience and optimism. Didn’t make it to the gym because you were inundated with work? Wow, you were a FORCE to be reckoned with at work, then. Ate a bag of m&ms? Great. Boosted your serotonin levels for the day…and left you with the knowledge that perhaps a bag of m&ms is not the greatest idea if you don’t want a huge stomachache. Next time, you’ll get the smaller portion and enjoy it just as much.

Make the effort to create manageable goals. Having trouble fitting in fruit? Don’t aim for 5 servings a day right away. Try one banana, or a glass of orange juice. See if you can do that for a few days. It may, just may, seem easier after that, so you’ll think about having both the banana and the orange juice the next couple of days. Find a way to combine them that you enjoy-fruit smoothie, anyone? And so on.

Fitness goals? Many people make running a marathon a goal. Amazing aspirations. Fabulous goals. Does that mean you go out and run 10 miles in one day? Absolutely not. Find a plan that makes sense, think about your time, schedule, and options. And then run for 20 minutes one day. Approach the big goals with a series of smaller ones. It works on all planes.

The best way to conquer those goals is to get some help. Find someone who specializes in your goal field, and ask them the best way to go about it. Pretty much guaranteed that every expert will tell you to go slowly for lasting results. It’s harder that way, but the effects will last a lifetime.

Resolving to live my life one day at a time, now that’s something I can strive for. I think you can, too.

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