It's the first week of January and that means one thing - gyms everywhere are about to meet a bunch of people motivated to conquer their new years resolutions. Did you create one? If you did, is your plan to lose weight, get stronger, get healthier, lower your markers and try and lessen the impact your diabetes is having on you? Or, is it something ridiculous like try and clean 300 lbs when you're currently only cleaning 100 lbs?
Whatever your goal, chances are you have made a resolution for 2017. Well, screw your new years resolutions. Yep, you read that right. Screw your new years resolutions. I realize this is a seemingly super negative point-of-view, and if you know me that should throw you off. But...
If you have a resolution for this year you probably had one for 2016 and 2015, and maybe even as far back as 2000. Look back, give yourself an honest assessment and count how many times your resolution has been successful. Honestly, probably not very many.
But it's not just you, some research studies estimate that upwards of 90% of resolutions fail each year. The Statistic Brain Research Institute says that last year only 72% made it one week, 68% made it two weeks and only 58% made it a month.
According to experts like Tim Pychyl, a psychologist at Carleton University in Ottawa, there are a couple reasons why so many people are unsuccessful - first, making them requires no action. He says that because they are such a simple thought and are so easy to make, simply thinking about your resolution will make you feel good about yourself without actually having to accomplish anything. Instant gratification without work.
His second reason is momentary feelings. We tend to make these resolutions toward the end of the previous year and create them around things we either do not like to do or were unable to do. His example is buying furniture now but not having to pay it off until later. Obviously when the time to pay comes, we may have some misgivings about our initial decision, but the financial/credit ramifications force us to pay anyway. With new years resolutions there are no penalties. We simply decide it was a bad idea.
In my opinion, there is a psychological component here as well. The new year doesn't last long (maybe 2 weeks) and the concept of your resolution tied to that new year will wain with it. Seemingly because of this, for some people these resolutions have almost taken on an association of make-believe because they generally believe that it won't last longer than a couple weeks anyway.
Lastly, I believe that some people also jokingly set unrealistic new years resolutions as if they understand the concept is so far fetched that it will never work out. However, they tie these silly resolutions to real world goals and ultimately because extremely discouraged because their goal was never achievable in the first place.
As explained above, there are many reasons why new year resolutions fail, and there is a better way. Set a goal. Pretty simple huh? Just like any other time of year. Create your goal just like you would any other - intelligently. Determine what you really want - to lose weight, get stronger, get healthier, lower your markers and try and lessen the impact your diabetes is having on you?
Set your long-term goal. Meaning, the ultimate end to everything you will be working for. Then set short-term goals that will allow you to find success along the way to your ultimate end game. Progress is not as daunting when it's viewed over the short-run.
If you want to improve your fitness, health or wellness in 2017 and were not able to do so in 2016 it likely means you do not understand how to go from Point A to Point B. As with any goal in any realm of your life, it's always okay to ask someone else for help. The fitness, health and wellness industry is massive and for good reason. Some times these paths are confusing ones that require a certain set of eyes to help you focus.
Step number one - have an honest discussion with a coach, personal trainer or fitness industry expert that can provide you with guidance or insight for attaining your goal(s). Or coach you down the path you seek. But more importantly, you need to have a discussion with yourself. Making changes to your lifestyle can be difficult. Otherwise you would have already made them.
If you are unhealthy (obese, high blood pressure, diabetes), then improving your health will be difficult and full of change. You think changing software at work is difficult? Try changing your lifestyle, activity levels and decision making when it comes to food. Guidance is key. Planning is key. This is after all your plan. Your life. If you do not work to improve it with more than a new years whim, who will?
Change is fundamental and cannot be accomplished with a new years resolution. Change is only accomplished through dedication and guidance. Everyone needs support.
Forget temporary motivation.
Screw new years resolutions.
Create change.
- Coach Adam
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