We are at that time of year where we begin contemplating how successful 2015 was and all the things we wish to accomplish going in to 2016. There are those who take this as an opportunity to look at all the potential they believe a new year brings. Others feel it is a joke to make resolutions because it is just another date on the calendar. Well, I once made a new year resolution.
Fitness journeys start at different times and places for people. 2016 may be the start of yours. For me, I used the hype and energy that surrounds the beginning of a new year as a chance to take more control in my life. I set a bar to simple start moving. My new year resolution was to have a more active lifestyle.
The issue on why someone does or does not follow through on resolutions has zero to do with it being a bad time of the year to start, but rather with not staying committed to what you said you would do. You could so easily fall off if you began in June. Staying committed to our decisions takes much more than casually throwing out words. A few of the things that have helped me stay committed to a resolution I made almost four years ago:
- Allow the goal to change as you grow and change. Initially I was all about losing weight because I was told by a doctor that I needed to do so. Having lost over 100lbs, my goals have evolved to losing fat, toning, keeping my organs healthy, and just living an active life. Your starting point is just that, a starting point.
- Never stop trying something new. This can go for the foods you eat and the activities that you participate in. Sometimes you have to go looking hard for these, and sometimes you just have to look at the opportunities that are close to you. I’ve never been left without things to do by seeing the chances that have been easily afforded to me.
- Help! Who is helping you stay the course? No one? If that is true, than you need to change that. As you embark and plan on being successful, make sure you have concrete help along the way. Help may change as the seasons in your life changes, but never go it alone.
I always love, smile, and become very thankful as I think about that girl above who took that stand, made the resolution, and never looked back!
