The holidays are behind us and the New Year is ahead. What
resolutions did you make last year? Did you accomplish
those resolutions? If not, how long did they last? If
you're like me, and many others, resolutions unfortunately
are a set up for disappointment. Generally, resolutions
don't work. If you want to make changes in your life,
that's great! You can do it. Change your approach from
resolutions to a process of solutions for change.
Resolutions are usually thought of as beginning the first
of the year. Think of your process of change as an
opportunity available to you all year.
January 1 is not the magic date to make changes. If you
don't accomplish your solution from January 1, do you give
up? Do you wait until the following Monday to start your
weight loss plan? Do you wait until the first day of the
month to start again? There is no magic date. You can
make changes now. Right this minute is the time to begin.
Create the momentum to lose weight, improve your fitness,
or start your plan for overall health.
On December 31st, you're eating in a way you want to
change, such as high calorie sugar and fat food items, and
then on January 1st, it magically changes and you eat
fruit, vegetables, and only healthy choices. Is that
realistic? How has that worked for you? You can use
January 1st as a starting point to make changes, however,
don't set yourself up to believe if you stumble a few days
later that all is lost. If you stumble in your process to
making changes in your life, pick yourself up right away
and begin again. New beginnings are there for you anytime
you want.
Make a plan. Write your plan down. Commit it to writing.
Take it from free floating around in your head to a
journal, on your computer, even a note you put on your
refrigerator. Write it down to get it right!
Your plan needs to be specific. As an example, if you want
to lose weight, be more specific. A great statement in
your plan would be "I will lose 20 pounds" as a goal. You
are stating the fact of how much you want to lose rather
than the general statement of losing weight.
Do you want to give yourself a timeframe? If so, add a
date to your plan in reaching your goal of losing 20
pounds. Just remember, you didn't gain the 20 pounds in
one week and you aren't going to lose it in one week. Be
realistic and lose the 20 pounds in a healthy way. Rarely
do we accomplish anything big in one day. You can start
your process of change in one day but success is reached
with many small steps daily throughout the year.
What's your plan in losing the 20 pounds? Are you going to
eat differently such as limiting refined carbohydrates,
fats, having planned snacks in addition to meals rather
than grazing all day? List the steps you're going to take
to get to your goal of losing 20 pounds.
In your plan, think "what" you are going to do and "how"
you're going to do it. The "what" is losing 20 pounds.
The "how" is by limiting sugar, fats, and walking 30
minutes four days per week. You can also add a "when" by
adding a timeframe in losing the 20 pounds.
In your plan, be prepared for life. Life happens.
Unexpected situations will occur and you need to be
flexible. That doesn't give you license to put your
commitment for change on hold. It just means that things
will come up. Be flexible and accepting of any stumbles or
falls. Start where you are. Don't focus on the stumble
but acknowledge the successes you've already accomplished.
Your process for change will be made in many small
increments until the change you're moving toward is now
second nature and a part of your life. Use the concept of
resolutions as a catalyst for starting your process of
change. You'll allow yourself to create resolutions and a
new beginning any day of the year. This time next year,
you'll be enjoying the change you resolved for yourself now
or anytime throughout the year.
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Cathy Wilson is a weight loss life coach. Cathy lost 147
pounds six years ago. Her passion is helping clients
achieve their weight loss and life goals. Cathy works with
clients to create a weight loss life plan that is
customized to each client. Cathy is a member of the
International Coaching Federation, International
Association of Coaches, and Obesity Action Coalition.
Visit Cathy's website:
http://www.LoseWeightFindLife.com
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