Angela Warm, Health Editor
Well here we are, the end of January 2022 already. Not sure about you but between my crazy holidays in the US and half the family contracting Covid, I am seriously considering starting this year over on Chinese New Year.
Speaking of New Year’s… How are those new year’s resolutions coming along? If you are like the majority of people, they flew out the window long ago along with our hopes of living a mask free life.
I know this won’t come as a shock to many, but New Year’s Resolutions don’t work. Your just setting yourself up for failure from the start by thinking that somehow magically from one day to the next, things are going to fall into place. Statistics show that 60 percent of people abandon their resolutions within six months, while 25 percent of people abandon them within a mere 7 days.
This year I am going to
“Get healthy”
“Exercise more”
“Eat better“
Any of these ring a bell? These will never work because they are either too vague or too impossible to stick to.
As a health coach, I’ve heard it all. You try really hard for a couple of days or even a week or more and then something derails you – your kid gets sick, your boss needs you to work late and just like that you fall back into to those old habits, and poof your best laid plans for getting healthy are swept under the rug. And you find it hard to get back on track.
Then we beat ourselves up thinking it is our own fault that we can’t stick to a diet or exercise routine. We often feel it is our own lack of willpower or motivation when really it is simply a lack of strategy. No one taught us how to take big goals and break them down into smaller more achievable steps. And no one told us it might be hard to achieve on our own.
I am being totally honest when I say I don’t do new years resolutions.
Truth be told, January is not the time to try and overhaul your health in one fair go. It’s cold, grey and we are still recovering from that post holiday hangover. Winter is the time to nourish, repair, rest and reset.
Top 3 Ways to Start off the New Year (Chinese or Otherwise)
Acceptance and Reflection
Accept yourself as you are, right now. Don’t hold anything back. Observe it, acknowledge it and let it go if doesn’t serve you. Give yourself a ton of credit for making it through yet another insane year without completely losing your mind. And please, stop comparing yourself to anyone and everyone you see on social media. Aspire to accepting yourself as you are, right now. Just do it.
Then take a few minutes and look back before you look forward. What worked last year? When did you feel your best? Most of us know what we need to do to reach our goals, we just find it hard to stay motivated. Write down what you need to do. You are 42% more likely to accomplish your goals if you write them down.
MINDSET
One of the first things I work on with new clients is their mindset. It is the single most important path to achieving your goals, whatever they may be. Wanting something is one thing, but knowing in your core that you can accomplish your goals – well then I have something to work with. In order to change your health for the better, you have to be willing to change your behavior and first you have to know that you can accomplish what you set your mind to. Once that is done your habits become consistent lifestyle changes.
And I know for so many women who’ve been taught their whole lives to just try harder, this is a tough pill to swallow (no pun intended). Reaching big health goals can feel like a daunting task, but I know you can do hard things, just look at your past accomplishments. What is it that you really want to accomplish? Envision it, write it down and start small.
Think Small
To reach those big goals, you have to break them down into small achievable goals that will help keep you motivated. And then celebrate those little accomplishments as you go along.
Want to eat healthier but don’t know where to start? Add a bit more vegetables to your plate with one of your meals. Know you need to drink more water – start with a big glass as soon as you wake up. Want to exercise 3 days a week? Start with 1 day a week and celebrate when you do accomplish it. Does it require you getting up earlier? Then set your alarm and lay out your clothes so you are ready to go. Didn’t make it to one class this week? Do not quit. Dust yourself off and try again.
Celebrate every small step (preferably not with brownies or ice cream). But by celebrating the little steps it will keep you motivated and consistent and you will start seeing results.
Results don’t happen overnight. Ditch the shame and guilt of not being able to do it all and start where you are. Need help with this – book a call. It’s my specialty. Because sometimes you just need a little guidance or adjustment.
Want My daily no argument tips for better health?
Drink a big water upon waking
Go for a walk outside at some point (preferably in the sunshine)
Take a good multivitamin
Honor bedtime
Be kind to yourself
My wish for you this year is to be gentle, be kind, and assess what is the right course of action for you. And when you are ready – take a small step in that direction. Lean into your struggles, recognize where you might need help. Step out of that Oodie Netfliz cocoon comfort zone you’ve created. Join that class you’ve always wanted to check out, phone a friend to see if they will help you stay accountable, make one meal a veggie filled extravaganza, floss.
And if all else fails – know that sometimes you need some added support. A trained health coach can help you with your goals by meeting you where you are and breaking down those hard to reach goals into something more doable.
To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
Have you downloaded our free ebook – 21 Hidden Gems of Switzerland? If you haven’t read it yet, be sure to download it while planning your next Swiss Getaway.
To read posts from December, click here
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