Four months ago we rang in the New Year with champagne, hugs, shouts and a list of things we want to do better. Every year, even if you don’t plan to, you concoct this list that you will enact when the clock strikes midnight. But just like Cinderella and her prince, you will return to your regular routine when the sun rises the next day. New Year's isn’t a magic fix but it can be a catalyst for change -- if you remember and are dedicated to doing so. I’m the worst at this. I promise to make changes and just forget. So in order to actually incite change let's revisit some of those resolutions.
Maybe you decided to start working out. But then you go to the gym and there were too many people or it was too hot or too hard and you just stopped going.Try again! Go back to the gym and just pick one machine to start slow. Aim for 30 minutes on the elliptical or walk a mile around the track; nothing extreme and nothing crazy. You could even try dorm exercises or yoga to make sure you start to enjoy it before you push yourself to lose weight or slim down.
Maybe you decided to eat healthier -- and since then have proceeded to eat too many sweets, go out way too much and constantly regret that last greasy meal you had. Well same, and let me tell you it’s not easy. The easiest way to start eating healthier is cutting out one thing at a time. I started with Diet Coke and while I’m still not perfectly cutting it out, it has helped me slowly cut out chips and unhealthy foods in the dining hall. Start with something small and work toward something big -- eventually you won’t even crave the bad things.
Or maybe you decided to be happier. This one is the most difficult because you can’t just decide to be happier. You have to make small life choices in order to do so. So this one is the easiest to fix, in my opinion, because you have to decide it’s worth it. Once you do that, you choose everyday to live a better life and make better choices. You can choose to smile more, compliment more people, and help people with more things and overall life in a more wholesome and giving way. Happiness will simply follow suit.
Now I know writing this article is easier than actually following resolutions but the biggest thing people are constantly forgetting is that in order for change to happen you have to make a choice. You choose to work out. You choose to eat salad over pizza. You choose to smile even when you’re tired. The only thing in your way of actually meeting your resolutions is yourself, you stop yourself from being happy and living a better life. It’s hard to choose happiness and health but once you do, you’ll never want to go back.
