When approaching the start of a new year, we consider making a resolution so we can achieve something and feel good about it.
Sometimes, one of the popular resolutions is just not going to work in your lifestyle, so don’t aim for the impossible
However, statistics show most resolutions are just lip service and very few people actually follow the resolution they set out to achieve.
The most popular resolutions are related to food (diet), exercise (weight loss), stopping smoking and reducing alcohol intake.
Understandably, these have the highest failure rate. Why? Usually because they all impact on our daily lives and during the Christmas holiday week, when we are not at work, and have time to think about changing these habits, we are exactly that: not at work and have the time.
One week later, we are back at work, or in our usual routines, time is not a negotiable option and the idea of finding 30 minutes each day to carry out that training regime is fast disappearing. Until finally, at the end of January, it is just a distant dream – until next year.
If you are really serious about changing something for 2013, then let’s try to work out how you can do it successfully. Subsequently, at the end of the year, you can send me an e-mail and tell me how successful you were at whatever you aimed to achieve – what a great case study that would make.
When deciding what you would like to change, it is important to choose the right activity. Sometimes, one of the popular resolutions is just not going to work in your lifestyle, so don’t aim for the impossible.
It is also a good idea to write up a list of several resolutions, so that you can assess the pros and cons of each one, thereby identifying the one most likely to succeed.
One of the biggest issues with starting a resolution is that they are decided in an instant, without thought of how you are going to succeed or incorporate the resolution into your life. Ultimately, planning is the key to success with a new year’s resolution.
What are the options besides the obvious ones mentioned? Consider the following for your list:
Start a meditation, yoga or tai chi class. All of these have been written about in depth, so you will be aware of the benefits of each of them in your life. In addition, they help with stress, so the benefits will soon become apparent. If you attend one class each week, you eventually will gain enough knowledge to do more at home.
Each one of these activities can be carried out at home when you have the basic knowledge. Unlike the gym where you require equipment, for these activities you just need a mat or soft surface, enough room to move around, peace and quiet for a short time and, ideally, a candle or two. Start researching for a good class, write up the pros and cons and start planning.
There is no doubt that some form of exercise has to be introduced into your life if you are a sedentary person, either due to work or laziness. If you plan this activity starting small and increasing, you can find the time.
It is difficult to find the time to go out for a brisk walk in the darkening days of winter. However, if you plan the week in advance, you can diarise it. Weekends shouldn’t be a problem – looking for a 30-minute slot on Saturday and Sunday is surely easier than in a working week.
Plan a route for the walk, make a start (with the right footwear) and plot your progress. This will, of course, be extended but not immediately. You could spend a couple of months walking for 30 minutes every day. Automatically, you will begin to speed up and either walk further or return sooner. Plan a route, diarise a time in your day and stick to it.
Breaking serious habits such as smoking, drinking and even drug taking is not something you add to your resolutions without truly thinking about how and when. The main problems are the side effects of stopping a substance your body will cry out for.
This even includes caffeine intake, as stopping coffee or cola will have serious side effects too and you need to be aware of them so you can counteract the pain your body will suffer during the first couple of months.
It may be necessary to get help. If you are not happy to take this route, then at least plan with a buddy. That is someone to either support you, or who also aims to stop smoking at the same time. The same sort of planning, diarising, and writing up pros and cons is required for this resolution.
Finally, look at a timeline. If you can’t aim for 12 months, aim for six. Also aim to at least follow your resolution for up to six weeks. The body needs four weeks to break a habit, so six weeks will ensure that habit truly has been broken. It is all downhill from there.
kathryn@maltanet.net