Why You're Resolving to Fail and Other New Year's Tips

I’m seeing a lot of people out there talking about their resolutions.  They have resolved to be on a strict new diet plan.  They’ve resolved to be hardcore at the gym every single day.  I have to say it aloud:  most of these people have the same New Year’s Resolution every year and that is to fail.  Before you decide on an all-or-nothing approach to health for the New Year, I would like to say to you a few things:

How many times have you adhered to a strict diet or exercise program before and how many times has it worked?  By worked, I mean are you still on that path or did you quit a few days or weeks in?  If every other time failed, what is different today than from a year ago?

Let me be clear.  I do not say these things to discourage folks from making positive changes in their lives, but to steer those changes into navigable waters.  Make smaller changes better and permanent. 

If you are looking for a workout program, start smaller and be consistent.  Go to classes at the gym and learn new ways to accomplish old goals. 

You don’t start working out for the first time with P90X for the same reason that you don’t start reading for the first time with Dostoevsky:  if it starts out too hard, you’ll never keep going.  You’ll be more successful by walking three times a week than doing Insanity once a month.

Don’t let jealousy drive you to make stupid decisions regarding your health.  Five percent of your friends may lose twenty pounds in a month doing something stupid. Ninety percent of them will gain back thirty.  I’d rather be getting healthier for good over a lifetime than dropping fast and failing in a month and a half.

Everyone has a friend who is thinner than them who talks about how fat they are.  That friend doesn't realize that she’s being an inconsiderate narcissist.  Now that you know how rude that is, you can resolve not to be that friend.

Find better ways to talk about yourself.  It’s okay to say, “I’m working on making my abs more toned.”  It’s not okay to say, “ I've got to get my fat @&$ to the gym.”

Don’t let one moment on the scale be your guide.  I hop on the scale every morning.  One day to the next can be a difference of five pounds.  Let the scale show you how you’re trending, not whether you’re succeeding or failing.

Finally, enjoy your infrequent binges.  I loved every moment of not thinking about my Christmas feasts.  I also enjoyed the salad I ate two days ago.  Both were my choice.  I never felt out of control because I chose to eat a piece of rum cake.  I didn’t succumb to a temptation.  I chose to eat it because I wanted it.  Making choice a part of your health plan is the difference between joy and misery and often the difference between success and failure.

Let this year be one of joy and success.