2 Reasons I Don’t Believe in New Year’s Resolutions

As we enter 2018, it’s that time of year where every gym is running a sale trying to prey on the “resolutioners” setting their sights on big weight loss goals for the new year. Yes, it is a new year, but why does it have to be the only time for someone to really begin to focus on their own health?

I always say: “you don’t need a new week or a new year, all you need is the motivation to get started!”

Don’t get me wrong, I completely understand the novelty of getting a fresh start in a new year; however, I see many problems with setting new year’s resolutions because all to often people fall short on achieving the things they had set out to accomplish in the new year.

I don’t want to sound like a hater, but I prefer to set “goals” over resolutions. The most important part of a goal vs. a resolution is the plan behind how you are going to reach those goals. Setting both short term and long term goals that are specific, measurable, action oriented, realistic, and timed (SMART) is the key to achieving greatness in a new year.

In my experience, many new year’s resolutions tend to be a little far fetched and very difficult to stick to. For example:
“starting January 1st I will be a vegan”
“starting January 1st I will stop eating sugar”
“starting January 1st I will go to the gym 5 days a week”
“starting January 1st I am going to lose 50lbs in 2018”

These are all GREAT resolutions, but what happens if you eat sugar once? or only get to the gym 4 days one week?, or eat a cheeseburger?

Many people tend to fall off the wagon.

Why? These resolutions are not specific, they don’t have a timeframe (are you vegan for the rest of your life? for the year? or for a week?), there is no plan around them (how are you going to lose 50lbs?), and in my opinion a little bit to strict to stick to long term (who can avoid sugar for the rest of their life?? not me!).

Here Are 2 Reasons I Don’t Believe in New Year’s Resolutions

1. There is too much pressure!

Why put so much pressure on yourself to reach these crazy far fetched new year’s resolutions? Setting small achievable goals is the best way to go. I completely understand the motivation that comes with a whole new year, but thinking of your resolutions and actually seeing them through for the entire year are two different things. Let’s go back to the example above committing to change overnight from someone who has never worked out to someone who goes to the gym 5 days per week could be difficult. That is a lot of pressure both mentally and physically (you will probably be very sore!), so why not set a smaller goal and then work your way up? For example, “I want to make it to the gym twice per week for the month of January and gradually build myself up to five days per week by the time we are half way through the year”. This is a “SMART” goal because you have given yourself timelines and the time to ease into it. This is way less stressful and much easier to get started at going to the gym twice per week than five times. If you end up going more than twice per week in January, that is just an added bonus and be proud! The reason I say this, is because when the new year’s resolutions are too difficult to achieve many people just fall off track completely and then a whole year goes by without getting where they want to go.

2. If you maintain healthy balance throughout the year, you don’t need resolutions

THIS!!! If you follow me on any social media channels you know I am always preaching about “healthy balance” and “it’s a lifestyle” and “don’t get ready, stay ready” etc. Moral of the story, if you maintain a healthy balance between exercise and eating healthy 80% of the time and then enjoying all the fun and food life has to offer the other 20%; you will never need a new year’s resolution or will never need a “crash diet”. I am all about finding something that works long term, is not restrictive, and will not make you miserable! Let’s be honest, cutting out sugar for a whole year will be very difficult and also just not fun! lol (doughnuts have sugar, who can live without a doughnut once and a while?). The way to achieve long term results and live a happy healthy life is to make small changes gradually and allow yourself a little wiggle room to have fun, enjoy good food with loved ones, and be lenient with your workouts. Life is all about balance and if you find this balance, you will be like me and not need or care to make new year’s resolutions 😉

I hope this help you find balance and set more realistic goals for 2018.

Leave a comment below and let me know your goals for 2018 – I would love to hear them! Or if you are having a hard time setting goals, leave a comment – I would love to help!

Wishing you all a happy & healthy New Year!