Tag: keeping new years resolutions

How Are Your New Years Resolutions Coming?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s been almost a month…do you remember what your New Years resolutions were?

Have you made huge changes in your life? Little changes? No changes at all?

If you haven’t thought about your resolutions since January 3rd, don’t worry – you’re not alone. That’s why I thought I would check in to see how things are coming along.

I tried something a little different this year: Instead of a list of goals/resolutions/changes I wanted to make for 2018, I thought of a word I wanted to focus on. Sort of like a theme word for the year. This felt a little more do-able and interesting than what I’ve done in the past. Stuff like:

  • Save more
  • Meditate more
  • Eat more vegetables

Those sorts of goals just get boring after a while. Instead I have picked a theme for the year – a word I can hopefully reflect on through the year. I’m hoping it provides some inspiration and guidance as the months tick quickly by. Sound interesting? It’s not too late to pick a theme word of your own! Here are some ideas:

  • Quiet
  • Present (as in engaged and aware – not people need to give me more gifts (though that might be a good one too 😉 )
  • Genuine
  • Flourish
  • Joy
  • Particular

You get the idea. Happy New Year!

 

New Year…New You?

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Happy 2017!

I’m not a huge fan of New Years resolutions. But I do think that the start of the year can be a good time to reflect on where we’ve been – and where we’d like to go. We all know that losing weight and being more careful with money are top goals for many. But I think other, more introspective goals are more interesting, impactful and do-able.

Taking note of things like:

  • How you spend your time – and who you spend it with
  • The words you use when talking about yourself and others
  • The way you interact with technology and social media
  • The roles, obligations and jobs you have – and whether they are still a good fit

Considering these and other aspects of life takes a little time and energy – but I think it’s worth it!

I wrote an article over at Produce for Kids about how to make changes that last.  My favorite tip from the article?

Make personally-meaningful goals. We can’t all care about everything. It’s not realistic to expect ourselves to be: never-cheater eaters, marathon runners, ultra-savers, perfect parents, top-notch employees, garden club honorees, award-winning volunteers, Pinterest stars…you get the picture. Instead of trying to be everything everyone else tells you that you should be, focus on being what you want to be. Not only will your goals be more meaningful, you will be more likely to meet them.

Here’s the whole article:

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New Years Resolutions That Work

I always make New Years resolutions.  Some years they are pretty serious and challenging, other years they are more light-hearted and fun.  Either way, I think using the first couple weeks of January to take stock of where you are, where you’ve been and where you would like to go is a good use of time.

Like everyone else, my New Years resolutions often include things related to healthier living.  These might include resolutions involving nutrition, exercise, home management (financial matters, tidy-ness, etc).

But I also like to include resolutions involving my social well-being and relationships.  This might mean taking a look at how I spend my time and who I spend it with.  Am I spending my time as wisely as I spend my money?  Are there relationships that need to be re-kindled?  Others that need to be changed or ended?  Having a healthy, fulfilling social life (and that means very different things to different people) is a huge part of overall mental health, so it should be a part of our New Years resolutions too!

Sometimes I add a professional goal to my list of resolutions – some years it just feels important to make some changes, and some years things have been humming along just fine.  Either way, January is a great time to ask yourself: “Am I where I would like to be professionally?” or “Where would I like to be at the end of the year and what can I do to get there?”

Lastly, I like to add at least one (sometimes more) resolution involving my hobbies.  Some years it has been as simple as “find a new hobby” other years it has been more refined (like the year I resolved to learn to crochet).  This year I have resolved to write down all the books I read (I read 2-3 each week so it feels important to keep track!).  Regardless of what it is, avocations – or hobbies – are another important part of overall mental health so they need to be included too.  Plus these resolutions tend to be a lot more fun – and easier – than going vegan or working out everyday.

Regardless of your resolutions, remember to keep them reasonable and do-able for your best chance of success!

What are your resolutions this year?

 

 

Sexy exercise? One Way to Keep Your New Year’s Resolution

Image credit: Five Words

Image credit: Five Words

I use Grammarly’s Plagiarism Checker because who would I rather be, than me?

According to usa.gov losing weight and exercise are among the most popular New Year’s resolutions.  According to my 9 year old we should all stick to our resolutions because it will “make the world a better place.”  And according to me making and reaching personal goals can provide a good boost to self esteem and thus mental health.

But what happens when we find ourselves running out of steam when it comes to our “get fit” and “exercise more” and “be more active” resolutions and it’s only January 16th?

I’ve done quite a bit of thinking about this.  I want to offer some tips that are fresh and unique, as most of us already know the standard:

  • exercise with a buddy
  • find something you love to do
  • set small, attainable goals

While these are great pieces of advice, they’ve been shared a million times (and at least 3 or 4 times by me!).  So after searching my brain, my gym and those exercising around me I’ve come up with some new ideas to keep you moving in 2014:

Be someone you’re not.  In this post I wrote about the rush I got when I participated in a flash mob.  One of the things that was so exciting was that I felt like I was someone I’m not: a young dancer.  We can use this same idea when it comes to exercise.  Take Zumba for example.  This super-popular salsa dancing workout is not only fun and good exercise, but it also makes participants feel like they are young, hot, Latin Lovers with sex on their mind and on their hips.  Who doesn’t want to feel like that – if only for a moment?  And I’ve heard boot camp-style class participants say things like: “I feel like I’m a soldier” or “I can pretend I’m a professional athlete” during the intense workouts.

Who do you want to be?  A zenned-out yogi?  A Las Vegas showgirl? A prima ballerina? An NFL player? Let your fantasies dictate your workouts – and who knows who you might become.

Do something you shouldn’t.  I used to have US Weekly delivered to my office each week; but I stopped my subscription a couple of years ago when I determined that the magazine and its covers (about fat new moms, cheating spouses and boozy celebs) were not consistent with good mental health.  But here’s the thing: I miss it.  Like a creme-filled donut, I know the magazine isn’t good for me, but there are times I crave it anyway.

Here’s my trick: I let myself read trashy magazines ONLY when I am on the elliptical, stationary bike or treadmill.  My theory is, the good of the exercise cancels out the smut of the magazine and just like that all my problems are solved. phew.

Be a little bad.  Being a little bad can sometimes feel pretty darn good.  Incorporate this conundrum into your workout routine.  While working out, wear something a little risque, listen to music that is explicit but with a super-motivating beat or watch videos you wouldn’t want anyone else to see.  Why not? I bet the prospect of getting a glimpse of someone wearing those see-through Lulu Lemon pants steered quite a few people to yoga classes they wouldn’t have otherwise attended.

Be a little naughty, and those workout resolutions will be a lot easier to keep.