Cheers to a new plan for the New Year

As we look forward to a new year, take a moment to remember those days of our youth. A time when life was more simple. A time that we didn’t worry about the stock market, or the price of groceries and houses.

The new year signified new beginnings, possibilities and new starts. New Year’s resolutions spoke of hope. Ah, those were more simple times.

The truth of the matter is that New Year’s resolutions, although full of optimism, are intrinsically flawed (see sidebar).

Perhaps, like me, you stopped making New Year’s resolutions years ago. However, this year, I decided that now more than ever, it is important to instil hope into our lives, with a solid plan for success.

The past few years have not been easy, and there is risk, now more than ever, of getting bogged down in the news of the world. When we do this, we could lose sight of our day to day lives and our own happiness. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t care or take actions in causes you believe in, but don’t lose focus on your own well-being. The New Year can be your opportunity to do exactly that.

So, to embrace this positive self regard, I would like to share a plan for success.

How to choose your New Years resolution:

• Write a list of what is important to you. It could be losing weight, spending more time with family or friends, or learning a new skill. It doesn’t matter what it is, it just has to be something you really want and have not been able to accomplish in the past.
• Pick the one that stands out to you as the most important and…
• Make sure it ‘s realistic. Now probably isn’t the time to train for the Olympics!

Develop a Plan:

• Have a very specific ultimate goal. Is it to lose 25 pounds? When do you want to reach this goal? Have a clear timeline.
• Develop steps – short-, medium- and long-term goals. For example: Short term might be to lose four pounds per month. Medium term, lose 25 by end of August. Long term, keep the weight off until Dec. 31 and beyond.
• Have clear steps in how to accomplish your goal; changes in eating and drinking habits that are doable. Hire help from an expert if you need it. Add a plan for exercise that you know you will enjoy.
• Do not do anything drastic. No cabbage soup diet. To accomplish your final goal, it has to be a lifestyle change that you enjoy and can imagine sustaining over time.
• Find a way to reward yourself as you reach your goal. It should not be something that defeats the purpose. When you reach your first goal of losing four pounds, don’t treat yourself to a huge calorie-laden meal. It isn’t that this could hinder the final result, but it reinforces the idea that such a meal is a reward, thereby psychologically making you feel that not eating these types of meals is a deprivation. A nice massage could work, and perhaps once you reach your final goal, a wardrobe purge.

I wish you all the best in health, happiness and success in 2023.

WHY NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS FAIL

• They are unrealistic, such as wanting to lose 30 pounds by spring
• There is no plan for success; change requires adjusting behaviours
• No tracking progress
• Make too many resolutions