“New Year, New You!” Um, No Thank You!
December, 2020
We're about to be inundated with all of the January marketing aimed at getting us to spend money on what we've been told we should all want. Namely, to lose 15 pounds, get six-pack abs, and finally conquer eating "clean." Prepare yourself for the "New Year, New You!" ads that can't help but land in our subconscious.
Um, no thank you.
Whether you’re a fan or not of New Year’s resolutions, this time of year, it’s hard to escape thinking about them. But, we can change how we look at our health and fitness goals, and we can certainly set ourselves up for success without wasting money on fads and trends that usually leave you disappointed and not better off than when you started.
So, in regard to the health and fitness resolutions that are so frequently at the forefront of the New Year’s list, I humbly offer the following thoughts:
1. Weight Loss is NOT a vain, shallow, or useless goal.
In fact, for many, it is a very worthwhile endeavor and a necessary step in the quest for better health and fitness. So, if you’ve gained a few pounds staying at home and eating all the snacks this year (me!), or if your doctor has been asking you for a while to try to get that number on the scale down, do not feel bad that weight loss is your 2021 goal.
HOWEVER.
Keep in mind that for most, weight loss is the result of a simple formula. A caloric deficit is the only way to lose body weight, meaning that you need to use more calories than you take in. Put another way, move more and eat less. That’s it. Really. Be very wary of all the companies trying to sell you a way to shortcut this!
If you are going to change your diet, confer with a registered dietician, rather than that one friend on facebook, the cable infomercials, or your best friend’s cousin’s mother.
2. There is NOTHING wrong with 2020 you!
No matter what your goals are, try to get out of the mindset that you need to “fix” something about yourself in the new year. This sets up failure, which is why so many resolutions don’t make it till January 3.
Whether you’re trying to exercise every day, lose weight, or learn a new language, a more powerful motivator to meet your goals would be, “it makes me happy to be good to my body and mind.”
3. Focus first on the big things that you know you can maintain long-term.
If your goal is to eat better, but you never eat vegetables, maybe start by adding a vegetable to your dinner before you start reading about going keto, or paleo, or South Beach. Committing to a salad dinner once a week is probably going to be more beneficial, and easier to maintain then worrying about what time of day to eat your protein or tackling intermittent fasting.
If your goal is to start exercising, but you never exercise now, maybe start by taking a 15 minute walk every morning before you jump into a gym contract, buy a full cycling kit, or register for that 5k.
Once you have the big things down (and it takes anywhere from 2-8 months to build a new habit), then it’s easier to start thinking about the specifics, like working on how your shoulder rotates, substituting cauliflower for potatoes, or making dessert a Friday-only treat.
Create momentum with your early success, rather than commit to too much (No more sugar! No more carbs!), which sets you up for early failure.
4. Lead with what you love.
If swimming is your thing, do it an extra day a week.
If you need friends along to be motivated, get a group together and come to the studio weekly for the barre class, and then follow it with a coffee date.
If broccoli is the only vegetable you currently like, make you sure you buy it every week and make Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays your broccoli days.
Other movement, additional days, and more vegetables will naturally follow, but you have to start with what you know you can do!
5. Your decisions outside of the gym or studio are paramount.
Unfortunately, one hour a few times a week can’t counteract all of the decisions we make the other 165-ish hours. Exercise and nutrition go hand-in-hand, there’s no way around that. If you’re moving your body like a champ, but eating ice cream sundaes every night at 10pm, you’re probably not going to get the results you want. (Remember that super-simple formula?)
If you’re eating well, but not exercising or sleeping enough, or if you exercise hard 3 times a week, but spend the rest of your time on the couch, same thing.
It’s so, so important to cultivate a love for your body that will make you want to make good choices all day long.
This is where our studio can help! We believe in moving your body because you love it, not in exercising for punishment. Movement is a beautiful experience, not one to loathe. We want you to look forward to your sessions, and to walk out our doors feeling more in love with your body than when you walked in. Once you’ve decided that you’re making changes for your body, instead of to your body, your choices will naturally lead you in the direction you want to go!
Are you a fan of New Year’s resolutions? If so, what are yours this year?
Hugs and high-fives,
Emma