Are you making decisions to be happy and healthy?
It’s been several months since you made your New Years Resolution. Did you make it to be happier or healthier? How are you doing? You already FORGOT? The number one resolution I hear is, “I need to lose weight.” But, there are so many obstacles. “I eat the house down from the minute I get home from work. Do you have that “five o clock feeding frenzy” that lasts all night going on in your house too?” Another one I hear all the time is, “I snack on junk at work…it’s there, Chere – what am I supposed to do?”
I am here to help! You wanted to make a change for a reason in January, but let’s look at your decisions a few months later.
First of all, the word ‘resolutions’ just feels too big to live up to. Our lives are really a simple string of daily habits – those automatic things we do day in and day out. A habit can be good…or bad; it just depends on the life you are trying to create. Old habits are like worn comfy slippers – easy to do. It is much easier to plop change in the vending machine instead of taking an apple ALL the way to work. Think about it – you have to buy an apple at the grocery store, wash it and drive it to work and then remember to eat it. A lot to think about!
New habits are like brand new shoes that take a while to get used to. It’s awfully hard to pass that M’M candy dish when you are used to swiping at it every time you pass by. What do you do?
Your first step is awareness. Take a breath. Stop your busy routine. Remind yourself that you are in charge of your life. Remind yourself you have choices. Ask yourself: Am I living my life by choice or chance?
Second step is to think about what you DO want. Think about what you want when you picture a happier or healthier you. Ask yourself: Who do I want to be one year from now? How do I want to feel one year from now? Think about your vision of what you want to weigh. Take an honest look at all the things you do without thinking about them. Are they helpful or hurtful habits? Are they getting you closer or farther away from your vision?
There’s lots to think about, so check back later in the week as we wrap up taking a look at those resolutions from January.
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I love my life! I have a passion and a purpose to share my recipe for health and happiness with RDNs and others – maybe even more so now that I’ve officially retired. If you want to learn what I discovered through coaching 1000 people over 9000 hours check out my final post, “Live Like This Is Your Last Day. Someday It Will Be!”
“THANK YOU for sharing years of your energy with us (with ME). Several years ago, I attended a seminar you taught, and I got some great ideas so I subscribed to Abundant Mondays and I’m so very happy I did. You make a difference in my life even though we have never met. I continue on my journey to adjust and adapt to the changes life brings and to remain positive and a positive influence. With your help.” -KJ
I agree that “resolutions” are too big to live up to and the pressure can be too intense. So, when I decided to get serious about losing weight, I started in September. Part of it was impending surgery and not wanting to look “fat” on the operating table. Part of it was specifically NOT doing it in January so it wasn’t a resolution, therefore, doomed to fail in my mind. I started counting every calorie coming in via food/drink and going out with exercise using an app (Web-based also) called LoseIt!. Knowing how many calories I had left after each meal really made me aware of my choices, both with food and exercise. No, I don’t want to eat that because I’ll have to spend another half hour exercising it off. Yes, you’re going to exercise even when you don’t “feel” like it, because once you get going, you’ll feel better both mentally and physically. And having friends on the app helps keep me accountable. They’ll see if I went over my calorie limit for the day or see my most recent meal or how much/little I’ve been exercising. Having specific goals to achieve also was helpful. I broke my weight-loss goal down into smaller sizes. First 10 pounds, then another five, then another 5, then another five (my goal was to lose about 25 pounds). Setting the goal too large would only disappoint me by not seeing results fast enough, so these smaller goals kept me motivated. Like anyone, I slip up once in awhile by eating too much or not exercising, but awareness that I am the one in control of me gets me back on track. I’ve achieved the initial 25 lb.-loss I wanted, but now want to lose another three to five pounds. I can do it. So can you.