One week down of the new year and I guarantee most, if not all, of us have flashed back at least once to the promises we made for ourselves before the ball dropped. New Year’s resolutions are a fantastic concept, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes we get a little lost when it comes to our own goals. “New year, new me” sounds pretty great, but I urge you to stop for a second and think about what you really want to change in yourself. Like, really really want to change. I certainly hope, especially if you’ve kept to your resolutions in the past, that there’s some part of you that you would be sad to see go. Change is good, but it comes in baby steps.
For whatever reason, our culture has equated the phrase “New Year’s resolution” with “weight loss.” So, I’m taking this moment to stop and remind everyone that this doesn’t have to be true. Just because it’s January doesn’t mean you have to jump on a treadmill. If getting healthy is your goal for the New Year, kudos! You can do it! However, getting healthy and fit isn’t always measured by stepping on the scale. Building a healthy, active lifestyle is a tremendous and admirable goal. It’s not always easy, but it can only benefit you. If you do hope to change your habits in the New Year, I’m here to remind you that weight loss is a side effect of change. Aim to eat more veggies, reduce sugar intake, strengthen your muscles, clear your mind (and your skin!), and drink more water. Combine this with one or two cardio sessions a week and you are basically a fitness guru. Don’t worry about the scale, that comes with time.
Building a healthy lifestyle is a great goal, but your New Year’s resolution doesn’t have to be a complete 180. Making little changes is a great way to cut out negativity from your life, and you might not even miss it. Try a non-fat latte, take the stairs, or go to bed an hour earlier and you might be amazed at the difference it makes. Healthy changes don’t have to be big, but the secret is: once you start to notice a difference, they become addictive.
It’s also worth noting that a healthy body is only part of a healthy life. Personal growth is a huge portion of self-improvement. Maybe 2017 is your year to focus on building up your friendships, and moving on from people who drag you down. Try to see the good in people and judge less. Give back and dedicate your time and energy to making someone else’s life better. “Smile more” or whatever your personal mantra is, stick to it. Spread it like wildfire. Encourage others, and believe in your self. Open yourself to new opportunities. Expand your mind by learning a new language. Check something off your bucket list, or even your to-do list. Push yourself to read more books. Whatever your goal is, do it to better yourself.
Whatever you decided you wanted out of 2017, you probably made a few promises (maybe even a bargain or two). A week in, you may have faltered a little. I mean, the cookie jar was right there. That’s okay! Quitting old habits cold turkey rarely works. You aren’t a failure if you haven’t reached your goal for the year in the first week. Whatever happened, make next week better. Continue to improve each week. By next December, you’ll be amazed at how far you’ve come. You can do it. New Year’s resolutions are hard, but you have 51 more weeks to work on it and you’re already doing great.
