Every year, nearly 85% of Americans make weight and self-improvement related New Year’s resolutions; and every year, nearly 60% of us can’t maintain that resolution beyond half a year. We all know how important health and balance are in our lives, so why is it that we can’t seem to follow through on such worthwhile promises to ourselves? Let’s see if we can work out some of the reasons behind these broken promises and more importantly, find some ways that we can turn that around throughout the year as we maintain our focus on that which is most critical to us: our well-being!
Why do New Year’s Resolutions fail?
- We’re treating a marathon like a sprint.
An “I want it all and I want it now” attitude sets you up for failure immediately. The last thing you want to do is to remodel your entire life overnight. Especially when you likely haven’t even come up with an action plan on how to do it. Just saying you’re going to do something is too inflexible, leaving too much room for inevitable disappointment and guilt when you break that rule. ‘Actionable structure’ needs to be put in place for change to occur.
- We make unrealistic resolutions.
Also called “false hope syndrome,” resolutions are often unrealistic and out of alignment with your internal view of yourself. In other words, you don’t really believe in yourself. I mean think about how many times have you let yourself down already with this goal? Doubt is a nagging voice in your head that will resist personal growth with every ounce of its being, and this can be damaging to your self-esteem.
- We make false assumptions of cause and effect.
You may think that if you lose weight, or quit smoking or exercise more, your entire life will change. When it doesn’t, you may get discouraged and quickly revert back to old behaviors.
- Resolutions are based on willpower, not a system.
People are generally not good at maintaining the willpower necessary to achieve long-term goals and are typically only able to sustain the willpower for near-instant gratification, which most resolutions (particularly those related to long-term health and wellness) are not.
Tips for making them stick:
- Set realistic, specific goals.
“Lose weight” is not specific; “lose 10 pounds in 90 days” is.
- Take small steps.
Many people quit after realizing the large demands their resolution requires; if you set a series of smaller goals, you’re more likely to achieve them. Stop trying to turn progress into perfection.
- Don’t wait until New Year’s to set resolutions!
If it’s a change that you want to see happen, you should want to see it happen all the time, not just the first month of the year. Spend some time throughout the entire year reassessing your goals and re-prioritizing your energy.
So, let’s refocus: we have these goals and resolutions for our bodies and minds: we want strength, fitness, balance, health and confidence… and we want them to last us a lifetime. And as the tips above suggest, making good on these promises to ourselves is a matter of real and true commitment to the goal. It’s a matter of action today, not reaction tomorrow.
In fact, let the act of reading this article be your catalyst for action! We happen to be writing this from Greenpoint’s neighborhood fitness and wellness studio, Human@Ease; and we’ve developed an intensive, holistic 12-week program to help you persevere in your commitments towards achieving your ideal version of yourself, both externally and internally! This program, The B.E.S.T. Plan, is designed to deal with past conditioning and emotional obstacles related to nutrition and to break the addiction to processed foods. With a meaningful focus on nutritional and exercise education, we incorporate methods to strengthen and improve all systems of the body, delivering the lifelong results we’ve all resolved to pursue.
Here’s just some of what you’re promising yourself when you choose The B.E.S.T. Plan:
- Knowledge is Muscle
We demystify the science behind exercise and nutrition and teach you how to be your own trainer and coach.
- Weekly Life Coaching Sessions
Recognize and get over your emotional attachments and addictions
- Weekly Infrared Sauna Sessions
With significant detoxification benefits, these weekly sessions will go a long way towards achieving balance in your body.
- Commitment and Action
Discover and establish clear goals and enact effective ways to achieve them.
- Accountability
Acquire healthier habits and the confidence to maintain a healthier lifestyle.
- Weekly Personal Introversion® Strength Training
Our skilled personal trainers provide you with the motivation, accountability, gentle guidance and strong support to get you passed physical hurdles or mental blocks.
- Time Management
Learn to make and keep appointments and commitments, both in and out of the gym!
- Exercise Education
Learn how to track your progress, set up and use strength training equipment.
- Unlimited Cardio and Yoga Classes
Get a customized schedule of diverse, challenging fitness classes provided by our excellent practitioners here at Human@Ease.
- Become a Part of Our Community
Get support and motivation from current and former participants of the B.E.S.T. Plan.
- Unlimited Dietary Analysis
Gain awareness and insight into your current diet through Food Journaling and weekly progress reports and feedback.
- Custom Body Assessments
Get the facts and actual numbers for direction and guidance in achieving your goals.
So, to support you in finally keeping your resolutions this year, when you reach out to us about the B.E.S.T. Plan and mention this article, you’ll get 30% OFF The 12-week B.E.S.T. Plan and an additional customized food plan to accompany the length of the program!
Don’t disregard your commitments to yourself in 2017. Give yourself a chance to make good on your resolutions and make good on your health.
Don’t let New Year’s Resolutions fail you this time!
Next Online Group Starts January 23rd*
Apply Now! or call us for more information at 718-388-2900.
*We even adapted this plan for the online market; we can now provide the B.E.S.T. Plan to anyone, anywhere, at any time with the online version of The B.E.S.T. Plan! Although still available on location, the online version has been tweaked for your convenience. Learn more here.