About Those New Year’s Resolutions: For Big Changes, Think Small
About Those New Year’s Resolutions: For Big Changes, Think Small
2020 is finally over! The year that seemed to start off with such high expectations turned out to be the year that just kept on giving us new things to fear and new hurdles to overcome. We were delivered into the “new normal” which is a phrase I have grown to despise. This led many of us down a rabbit’s hole of overeating, over drinking and little to no exercise. Instead of gaining the “Freshman 15”, many instead put on the “Covid-19”. We fell out of routines that kept us on the right track and fell into binge watching Schitt’s Creek, 90 Day Fiancé and The Crown, just to name a few. And so we vowed to make some changes right after the last plate of cookies was devoured along with the champagne and cheese. We made a New Year’s Resolution …
Putting 2020 aside, most resolutions have a sense of déjà vu. They seem to be the same as any other year. We make promises to ourselves about how we are going to change. Sadly, studies have shown that 60% of people had given up after six months and who knows how many of the remaining 40% secretly gave up but didn’t want to admit it.
One of the main reasons New Year’s resolutions are so hard to change is that we come up against rock hard habits. Typical targets for resolutions like healthy eating, quitting smoking and taking up exercise are very difficult habits to alter because these patterns of behavior have been built up over many years.
Instead, it’s much better to try and replace the bad habit with a better one. Rather than suppressing a snacking habit, for example, it’s better to make the snack food healthier: switch from candy to apples.
This past year has pushed many of us to a breaking point at one time or another, and breaking old habits can be hard. The temptation is to bite off more than you can chew, but baby steps are likely to work better. Try to start with minor bad habits, or only part of your bad habit. For example, it may not be possible to tackle unhealthy eating all in one go, but you can, at least, change what you habitually eat for breakfast. With this change under your belt, you can layer another good habit on top, and then another. Add in fitness where you can, 10 minutes, then 20 minutes and before you know it you will be gaining on that healthy routine too.
You will have good days and you will have bad days. Be gentle with yourself and try and look for the positives in each day. And, always remember: for big changes, think small … consistent, effective efforts lead to success.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Kim Duke is a certified personal trainer and owner of Core Performance Fitness and Training located at 55 Bristol Lane, Ellicottville, NY. Kim resides in Ellicottville where she raised her two sons, Zach and Nik. For more information about her studio visit her Facebook page or www.coreperformancefitness.com. Reach Kim at kduke65@gmail.com.
