To Resolution or Not? Plus, 21 Things I Learned, Live by, or Reconfirmed in 2011
Sunday, January 1st, 2012
11 commentsMost fitness or health folks, will tell you that they don’t believe in resolutions for a whole host of reasons, ranging from you should be practicing a healthy lifestyle all year round (not just during resolution time) to after one month over 65% of people will forego their resolution. Now, these are both VERY valid points. But, I happen to like New Year’s resolutions for the simple point that they get you thinking of where you want to be. They help form goals, motivate, and push. As people, we’re always evolving, learning, and adapting. Without looking back, how can we learn? But, more importantly, without thinking of where we want to be or what we want to accomplish, how can we move forward with purpose?
The problem with most New Year’s resolutions is that they’re way above and beyond our means … and we don’t make a plan on how to accomplish them. Without a plan … you’ll be far less likely to fulfill your purpose. Think about it. You want to write a book? You need an outline and deadlines. You want to run a marathon? You need a training plan. You want to garden? You need to research what plants grow best in your climate and how to care for them. You want a new job? You need to make a checklist: update resume, get references, find connections, etc. You want to lose weight and keep it off? You need a sound nutrition plan … that’s realistic. Takeaways: make resolutions that you can actually accomplish and form a plan.
My resolutions for this next year are to write an ebook or two (I’m in the process of making an outline … get excited!); become a better cook (I’m making 2 new recipes each week); strength train at least three times a week (I mark off the days in my calendar); and to start a garden and move into a house from a flat (… these we’ll just have to see about … not technically resolutions … just life wants). I wouldn’t have come to these resolutions, goals, or life wants though without looking back at this last year. This last year has been quite informative. So, informative, in fact, that I made a fun little list.
21 Random Things I Learned, Live by, or Reconfirmed in 2011
- Motivation comes from within. If someone is not ready to do something, they simply are not ready.
- White asparagus is delicious.
- Kettlebells are an awesome workout. I’m kind of in love.
- All families are a little crazy, but in a good way. Just learn to accept, love, and let go.
- Bicycling is a wonderful form of exercise, but I am not to be trusted on a bike. Rode one a year ago, panicked, and hit a fire hydrant. There’s more to the story, but this post can’t be that long. Rode one about a month ago and literally, almost got hit by a bus … I shall stay away from outdoor bicycle riding.
- Roll a lemon or lime with the palm of your hand, before juicing to get more juice out of it.
- Smile and laugh, especially if in a bad mood, it’ll help lift you out of your funk. Studies show that our facial expressions influence our emotions.
- You never regret exercising, but you do regret not exercising. After a long day, and I’m spent … and debating working out or not … I repeat this phrase to myself. I’ll then march my butt to the locker room, change, and hit the floor to get a sweat on … and I never regret it.
- Paris has the best espresso perhaps ever.
- Women need to love themselves a little more. I have yet to meet one woman—whether 12 or 65, thin or overweight—who is completely satisfied with her weight or body.
- Life is short. Make sure the people in your life know how you feel about them (but … if they’re negative thoughts … there are some things we should just keep to ourselves). I’m thinking positive here people!
- If you have the ability to spend more than 20 minutes per day on Facebook, you have the ability to bring your lunch to work and make dinner.
- If a man is not chivalrous on the first few dates (holds doors open, pulls your chair out, makes plans to see you next … then, etc.), then run for the hills. Not worth it. Chivalry is hard to find, agreed. But, it’s not dead. And, if he starts telling you that he’s a binge eater or talks about marrying you … on date one, run too (…this is neither a two-for-one deal nor an episode of the bachelorette).
- In the words of my Nana, “If you get to the end of your life, and you have five people who you can count on—for anything—you have lived a very good life.”
- Love happens when you least expect it. Just be open and take your guard down a bit. You can’t fall in love, unless your a smidge vulnerable.
- You don’t need to spend more than an hour a day exercising. If you are and are not seeing results, you need to change your nutrition and/or get on a more effective exercise program.
- Just because a cat has three legs, doesn’t mean it is any less functional. But, it does mean it needs to eat less than other cats to avoid becoming a tad on the larger side. Yes, I have a cat with three legs. And … I need to come up with an effective diet and exercise regimen for my furry little three-legged feline…
- Morimoto in Napa, California has the best sushi I’ve ever had in my life. Point blank.
- The best time to exercise is any time that you’ll actually do it.
- Spend your time and focus on people who make you laugh, smile, and excited. Those people are the gems in your life.
- If you’re feeling somewhat “astray” this time of year and that you need a little focus, make a vision board. The exercise of creating one helps get you in the mind frame of what you want for you. Pretty cool.
Great post! Great thoughts to start the new year. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed, Gary! Happy New Year to you!
Love your 21 Things. Love the vision board and really enjoyed the one about dating and running for the hills. lol! I’m moving to San Francisco next month. Would love to meet up for coffee one day and chat about our work/ projects. I’ll contact you once I’m settled. Happy New Year!
Ahaha. Thanks Trish! Yes, in this past year I have encountered some hilarious dating encounters. So funny. But, it’s the inspiration for my ebook to come–on dining and dating–so it served its purpose! And, yes, vision boards are super cool. So excited you’re moving here. Definitely be in touch asap when you get here, and we’ll go to dinner!!!! Hope you had a lovely new year!
Awesome post!! Love love love your list! Cheers to a great year ahead! Happy New Year!
Thanks Kara! Happy New Year to you too sweetheart! You’ve got an awesome year ahead of you lady!:)
Love this list of “random” thoughts that are so very wise. Great thoughts! I can relate with many of them… although #8 is something I need to start practicing and looks like #18 will have to be added to my list of restaurant travel targets. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed!:) Yes, they’re quite random…but had to throw ‘em out there. Happy New Year to you!!!;)
I love this list!!! I agree with several things. White asparagus is yummmmm, there is no need to workout for more than an hour, you never regret exercising. Oh, and I am completely with you on the bike thing. I get so nervous that I crash! In college, I ran into a van on my bike. Not for me!
Great post, I am one who usually doesn’t believe in resolutions, but loved your points about moving forward, made me think twice. Happy New Year!
I loved this, especially 4, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16
I tell ppl all the time it is better to be consistent and work out for 1 hr 4-5 days a week rather than 2 hrs 1-2 days a week!