I've never been into New Year's Resolutions. I guess because if I notice something about my behavior that I don't like, I resolve to fix it, whether its the middle of the week, middle of the month, or middle of the year. Doesn't everyone do that? I mean, if I felt lazy and out of shape March 11th, I'd resolve to start running or whatever and possibly start March 12th. Usually I'd be good for a few weeks and then slowly peter out, only to make the same resolution again in August. I suppose resolutions at the new year are just meant to be goals or things to work on, and who doesn't love the idea of a clean slate like the day 1/1 implies?!
As I put on my gym clothes today and was about to head out to my first workout of the new year, it dawned on me how lucky I am. I'm in a pretty good groove right now. I'm happy with my eating style, I'm happy with my workouts, and I've been steadily (sloowwwly) getting smaller since August. My mood is almost always good, I like my job, my home, my friends, my family, my life. I'm not starting from a resolution, I've been at this for months! To honor that, I'm making a list of all the things I currently do that might be viewed as resolutions, but since I already do them, they are re-resolutions?
1) Eat clean- doing it!
2) Regularly attend a gym- Yup!
3) Drink more water- you betcha (and aiming for a gallon a day)!
4) Take supplements (fish oil, vitamin D for me)- yes
5) Pick specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound goals- this one is relatively new to me, but trying!
6) Lift weights- duh
7) Be less sedentary- standing desk!
A sense of relief swept over me as I headed out. I can't explain it, for the first time in years I didn't feel any pressure to "make this year the best" because I know I'm already well on my way to making that happen. Many many years of mine have passed with the best intentions for the new year. I've never been good at sticking to what I tell myself I want to do, maybe because before I always picked things that were too hard, or unsustainable? Looking back to how I got here today, to this feeling of relief, I see that I didn't do everything all at once. I also stumbled some, but made sure to get right back at it. Now making tweaks to my routine is easy. For example: trying to drink a gallon of water a day. I've already cut out soda and juices, and have been drinking water only as my beverage of choice, and adding a few more glasses per day won't be daunting like when I was 19 and FIRST STARTED DRINKING WATER. Yeah. Years of learning I tell ya!
Seriously - that's some great work that you've already done.
ReplyDeleteAnd I completely get what you mean about feeling relieved that you don't have to make grandiose plans.
Way to go! :)
I just found your blog and find it intriguing. I especially like this post about New Year's Resolutions. I actually made up one which people think I'm crazy for sometimes. I am adding a resolution each week in hopes that by the end of the 52 weeks this year I'll be living more of the life I want and feel I should be living. My resolutions won't always be huge, but I started a blog to hold myself responsible. Nobody reads it, but I feel like someone would be disappointed in me if I fail and not just myself.
ReplyDeleteIt kind of goes along with your idea of changing what you think needs changing as the year goes on, only I'm picking one thing each week to add to the list to work on. http://pbresolutions.blogspot.com/