For the last several years, ever since I hit puberty, one of my New Year's resolutions has been to lose weight. Some years I've succeeded, some I have not. Some years I give it a good shot those first few weeks in January, others I sporadically workout every few months or so. I'll keep to a diet for a few weeks, then cave and get a hamburger.
Even as I'm writing this at 10:30 p.m., I'm eating ice cream from Andy's. No matter what my weight loss goal has been for the year, it's just something I haven't been able to keep, no matter how badly I want to achieve a certain number on the scale. So I'm changing things up this year.
I think it's fair to say that weight loss is on a lot of people's resolution list for 2017. Beauty standards are still what they are, and the Victoria's Secret angels aren't getting any thicker. And yes, a healthy weight is a considerable component for a healthy lifestyle. However, all too often, we make our weight the center of our perception of health. And that's not necessarily accurate. So this year, I'm shifting the focus of my resolution to something more "big picture."
My goal this year will emphasize on overall health instead of just the number on the scale. In fact, I'm not even going to have a scale. There will be no strict diets, no big surges of cardio workouts in preparation for a big social event. No, this year, the goal will be different.
This time, it will be consistent and health-based. It will be an effort to eat healthy, but without a checklist or restrictive diet. It will be workouts focused on building my endurance instead of slimming my waistline. It will be time set aside for yoga and meditation, because mental health and time to de-stress is just as important as physical health. And no matter what my weight is as I take part in this lifestyle, I will be content, because my own sense of body positivity will be more important than my pant size. I will be healthy in more ways than one, and my weight will not be of a great importance.
So this year, for the first time in a long time, I will not aim to lose weight. Not this time. No, this time, I want a healthy lifestyle. One in which I'll eat less processed foods and have a more colorful plate. One in which I'll hike more and start a realistic gym regimen with a friend. One in which I take time for my body, mind, and spirit, The number on the scale will not be relevant this year, because I will be happy and healthy no matter what that number is.
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