New Years Resolutions!

This is the week most of us take a few moments to make a few resolutions for the New Year, things we want to accomplish, improve or change about ourselves. How many of these resolutions actually are still in place by February 1? This year I propose we take a new approach. Rather than "lose weight", "quit smoking", "exercise"... I suggest we actually set up a plan. For example, what needs to be done in January to help me to get on a better eating plan? For me, after the holidays it is to continue my goal of cutting white sugar and flour out of my diet, for others it may be to increase fruits and veggies or others it may be to increase lean protein intake. Ask yourself, how can I increase my exercise in January? Take a look at your schedule, the pilates studio schedule or your gym's schedule and map out a plan as to how to carve out some time each week for exercise. Write it on your calendar and hold yourself accountable to this as you would a MD appointment or meeting with your child's teacher. We need to make these plans realistic. Of course we would all like to step on the scale on February 1 and have lost all the weight or fit into that outfit next week that has not fit for a year. This is not realistic. What is realistic is the small liveable life changes that will gradually get us to our goals so that NEXT January 1 we are not writing the same resolutions on the piece of paper AGAIN!! We need to try not to be so hard on ourselves and above all, make the resolution so unrealistic that we give up on them before any progress is made. Making a resolution is a private thing but achieving it does not have to be. Talk with a friend, ask your spouse for support, get your kids involved. Research has shown that when you put yourself out there and let others know what you are trying to achieve, you are more likely to succeed. Best of luck in the New Year and with your Life Changes and please feel free to contact me with any questions or topics you would like me to cover in this blog!