Happy 2016! Making Resolutions That Stick

2016 is less than a week away and that means it's time for people to make resolutions that aren't practical. Your local gym will be crowded, the health food store will be busier than normal but I guarantee you that things will get back to normal in February. Why? Well, the truth is most people make New Year's resolutions half-heartedly and not with great purpose and sadly, few of us actually achieve our goals by the end of the year. Probably because most resolutions are completely unrealistic or entirely too vague. Ouch! The truth hurts, doesn't it?

I know you are thinking: "Ok, miss Sassy, thanks for being such a Debbie downer." Let me finish....The good news is that even some of the worst resolutions can work if you make them specific.

Here's a vague resolution:

Stop Being Stressed

What does that even mean? I'm stressed even thinking about it.

Stress is part of life, so we cannot hope to eliminate all stress. 

This is what you can do...Identify your key stresses. Make a list. Do it. If your stress can be avoided by simply NOT doing something, perhaps it’s time to cut those things out of your life. If that’s not an option, like raising your wild children, you must learn how to manage those stresses and keep them in perspective. Here are some things you can do:

• physical exercise (I highly suggest you do this one. You deserve to exercise. Movement is so wonderful.)
• massage
• meditation
• breathing exercises
• yoga
• martial arts like tai chi

I love taking group exercise classes. Duh! That's not a surprise! It's the group setting that I love. I'm held accountable. I sign up for classes. I schedule them into my day to make sure it gets done. My 2 cents: Sign up for courses in relaxation techniques that appeal to you. It may help to engage in these activities on a regular basis.

Here's another one of my "favorite" vague resolutions:

Join a Gym

If joining a gym was all it took to be healthy, everybody would be. Guess what, you actually have to go and not just during the month of January. Yes, that means in April I expect you to still be going. Making a monthly donation to a gym is expensive. Don't be dumb with your money. If you join a gym, go. 

If you really want to exercise, make a long-term plan. Write it out. Yes, I know I said to write it out earlier in this post. It's a theme. Begin with walking or other easy or moderate exercises that you can do in your home or around your neighborhood. Gradually increase your exercise level and stick to your long-term plan. If by May or June, you’re still at it, you may be ready for that gym membership after all. 

New year's resolutions are essentially goals and these can also increase your well-being because they force us to consider what we value most and they help to structure our time.  Good Luck! Happy 2016!

Bingeing, It's Not Just For Netflix

Even though it is October and it seems like the year is winding down but that doesn't mean your goal setting has to wait until January. There is no rule that says you can't set a goal right now. In fact, setting a goal might help you stay on track during the upcoming holiday season. I'm a fan of setting a small but achievable goals every season. For example, my goal this fall is to get certified in a new fitness modality. I took the first step by registering for the certification. It may not seem like a big goal but it is attainable. A lot of people go about goal setting the wrong way. Instead of making short term intentions, most people Goal Binge. A lot of people make their goals as long as a Child's list to Santa. Goal setting is not a bucket list. Everything that you want to change about you should not be on your list. It should be statements of short term intentions. Like 1 or 2 things.  For example:  I will run 2 miles in the next 4 months or I will take a fitness class 3 times a week.  My question to is this, Has anyone experienced goal binging and what was the result?

This brings me to another point about goal setting. Be sure you aren't setting VAGUE GOALS. Our goals need to be measurable in some way. Saying "I want to lose 10 pounds" sounds good but there is nothing about that statement that lets you measure your progress. Instead make your goals more specific, like: "I will eat out 2 less times this week, I will workout 1 more time this week, I will make healthier choices the next week, I will keep a food and workout journal."
How does this relate to you? Any experience with this? You don't have to answer out loud. These are just questions to ask yourself.