New Year's Resolutions
mtaratoot
Posts: 14,244 Member
As we prepare to welcome the New Year, many of us will make resolutions. Many people on MFP will make resolutions about fitness and diet. Sometimes those resolutions will be lofty; we are setting ourselves up for failure. As like any other time of year, we need our goals to be difficult but achievable. We need them to be measurable and realistic. Almost nine of ten people fail to keep their New Year's resolutions. Once we have set good goals, we have to set ourselves up for success and celebrate the success. Perhaps most important is if/when we have a minor setback, we don't quit. We get back on the path and move towards our goals. I just read something by an author named Eric Baker about this very thing. He said:
So remember - forgive yourself and keep going!
We treat resolutions like they’re sacred vows. We make them with the gravity of a knight swearing fealty to a king. But then, when we break them, we act like we’ve just betrayed the crown. “I ate a cookie at 3 AM. I have dishonored Clan Barker.”
No, you haven’t. You just ate a cookie. The diet is not blown yet. The diet is blown when you eat the one cookie and say “So much for that resolution” — and then devour the rest of the bag. Just forgive yourself and keep going.
So remember - forgive yourself and keep going!
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After I posted about resolutions, a friend posted something on my news feed about a yoga teacher he had. This teacher suggested that instead of resolutions, we should have intentions.
I thought a little further about intention versus resolution.
A resolution is a promise; it is a commitment; it is a vow. It is made with oneself. If it is made without intention, it is hollow and sure to fail. A resolution requires intention if it is to be valid.
An intention is just that - an intent. It's not a plan. It's an idea. If I have an intention today but by tomorrow change my mind, I can change my intention. There is no commitment associated.
Is one better than the other? I'm not sure. I think without a goal you're just goofing around. I don't think setting a goal is a bad thing. That is an intention. In order to achieve the goal, though, there has to be a commitment if that intention is a change from how you normally live your life.
Once again - forgive yourself and move on, but move on TOWARDS YOUR GOALS!
Have you set your goals for 2024 yet? What are they? How do you intend to achieve them? See that - intention and resolution. They go together.2 -
I have a rough idea what I want to achieve this year, but I have to clearly visualize exactly what it is and make a plan for anything to really happen. So I’m spending some time contemplating what’s really important to me, and focusing on what I can achieve with that in mind. I can’t master many things at once so the goal has to be very focused, very specific, and with a clear plan to accomplish it. Not to say I can’t or won’t be flexible when it’s not 100% perfect, but I’m already prepared for that because that’s life. Maybe I’ll let y’all know when I have a goal and a plan.
What about you?2 -
My resolution is to lose 8 pounds in 2024.
My intention is to eat 200 to 240 calories under tdee most days of the months jan-april and oct-dec.
My intention is to fill my diet with so many fresh fruits and vegetables may-sept that I needn't worry about calories.
My plan is to loosely pre log 1 or 2 days ahead to help my intentions.
My hope is that I'll lose closer to 15 pounds.
My reality is that diet and losing weight is a very small part of my life. Sometimes it takes back burner. These things may not happen, depending on my life.8 -
@Corina1143
Very well said, and what a great approach you are setting up. I bet a bagel you are successful. Be sure to pre-log that bagel, because you're going to win this bet.2 -
New Years Resolutions are
1. Target to lose 1-2lbs a week/month.
2. Drink 1700mL water 5-6 days a week.
3. Add/start eating more vegetables & fruit.
4. Exercise for 3 days a week for the first 3 months(Jan,Feb,Mar).
5. Target to sleep 7-8 hours a week.5 -
My fitness/diet intention/resolution isn't that exciting.
My intention is to continue doing what's working and try to improve a little at a time.- I will continue to weigh myself daily, try to ignore the day's number, plug it into my spreadsheet, and stay focused on ten-day weighted moving average.
- I will continue to log completely and honestly using my kitchen scale when I'm cooking from home. It's OK if I make estimates sometimes when I'm out of the house as long as I keep my eye calibrated.
- I will visit the gym three or four (or more) days a week until spring when I will probably put my membership on hold to go outside and play. I will do a combination of strength training, cardio, and swimming.
- To add something new to the mix, I will try out some of the group exercise sessions that my gym offers.
- I will strive to get at least as many days on the water in 2024 as I did in 2023 (currently 69 and I will probably paddle on Thursday). My goal is 100 days, but that really is a tough nut to crack.
- I will spend a few hours each week getting my house organized and cleaned. This is actually a big one that is a stretch for me.
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My goals are to drop the holiday weight, but I have the tools and experience after 5 years here, so that’s not a problem.
My physical goals are my “real”
goals this year:
1.) swim 5k. I’ve just taken up lap swimming and have already done a mile. I’m taking swimming lessons starting next week to learn how to breath during strokes and to turn at the end of the lane.
2.) I’d like to improve several yoga poses: I can’t hold peacock, and I’d like to clean up my chin stand. I’d also like to get a full split on at least one side. The simplest thing I’d like to master is a forward roll. For some reason it scares me. I’m going to try it on our thick oriental rug. I expect to have that one down almost immediately and then want to master crow into forward roll.
3.) I’d like to take some more flying trapeze classes, erm, now that the bone has healed 😂
4.) going to take up aerial silks, too.
5.) stay healthy enough to be the grandparent that keeps up with the toddler. Yesterday was a trampoline park, the day before was
Going down the slides with her. So much fun!!!!5 -
If anything is worthwhile doing, why wait until some random day to start?5
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1 - Get on my Babbel app everyday to improve my Spanish for a trip we have planned in 2025
2 - Mindfulness meditation daily
3 - No alcohol for 6 months or more (I've done 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days before)5 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »If anything is worthwhile doing, why wait until some random day to start?
Great idea.
This is why I actually already started on mine. As soon as I had an idea what direction I was going, I just started going there. It's not jumping the gun or cheating - it's just getting started.
I remember what Warren Miller used to say at the end of his movies: "Remember, if you don’t do it this year, you will be a year older when you do." Same could be said for this month, this week, or today. Always start today!
They say the best time to plant a tree (or bonsai) is 20 years ago, and the second best time is TODAY!2 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »If anything is worthwhile doing, why wait until some random day to start?
Great idea.
This is why I actually already started on mine. As soon as I had an idea what direction I was going, I just started going there. It's not jumping the gun or cheating - it's just getting started.
I remember what Warren Miller used to say at the end of his movies: "Remember, if you don’t do it this year, you will be a year older when you do." Same could be said for this month, this week, or today. Always start today!
They say the best time to plant a tree (or bonsai) is 20 years ago, and the second best time is TODAY!
Perfect. Best of luck with your goals.1 -
My goals for 2024:
1. Hope to lose 50 lbs. I lost 50 lbs. in the last 10 months, so I believe it’s doable. However, if it takes me longer I’m ok as long as I’m losing, not gaining.
2. Keep enjoying my exercise routines, and to keep slowly increasing my intensity. When I first started very mild exercise 10 months ago, I found it hard. Sometimes I had to leave the room to be sick, but always went back and finished . Now, I work harder, enjoy it and feel good. I keep adding activities that I like. I’ve recently added using the step at my gym as there aren’t any stairs where I live. I only do a few, but again I want to increase that as I get stronger.
3. Continue to strength train with hand weights and machines. I’ve increased from 2 lb. to 4 lb. Weights since I started.
4. I take a drug for T2D. I want to stop taking it. Same thing goes for high blood pressure. I expect to be able to stop taking them soon in 2024 with my doctor’s permission of course.8 -
i never really got new years resolutions. when i think of a change i'd like to make for my life, i don't want to wait for a particular day - i want to get started.
that being said, i hope to continue what i've been doing - working to recomp and continuing to improve my overall fitness, health and strength.5 -
My resolution: lose the holiday weight
My intention: tone lower body
My plan: ab exercises everyday
My hope: have ab muscles showing
My reality: I might not meet end goal, but that's okay, as long as the holiday weight is lost.
Your turn!1 -
2024 Goals
1. Continue OMAD. Weigh 3+ days p/w.
2. Business 1- 2-3 projects- July
3. Business 2- 6-8 projects- July
4. Business 3- 3 projects- July
5. New property- December
6. Sunday- Family day. No working.5 -
I like the idea of an intention- a concept or value underlining everything else you do.
Of course, I have resolutions (against all logic there is something magical about Jan 1 in my mind!):
1. Hit my goal weight
2. Get stronger and pain free
3. Reduce social media/find healthier ways to deal with boredom and down time.
Think I will also set an intention: Health and Balance6 -
Have been working on it already, but continue working on poor mobility from years of a desk job in front of a computer and a long driving commute.5
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Not resolutions as much as what I’d like to achieve
* release 20kg into the wild. First goal is 10 but 20 by September when I go on a trip. (Really bad at this so 20 is achievable but quite lofty for me.
* Complete my Te Reo language course
* Get my golf handicap down
* Get in more exercise (sedentary job, mustn’t let the work be an excuse)
Look forward to a busy year.0 -
This year I want to prioritise more lead climbing and will buy an ohm belay device in order to feel more confident to do so with my regular climbing buddies who are all around 25kg lighter than me.
I also want to become a more confident cross country skier and make a start on downhill skiing.
Finally my partner and I hope to start our family in the second half of the year, not something I can resolve to succeed at but something that helps me stay motivated to work on my health.1 -
I feel like it's not without coincidence that the new year falls right after a full moon- when you are supposed to set your intention and then at the new year when you are supposed to make your resolution because I think you need both to work. With that said.
I resolve to: wake up more conscious about how I start my day (working out first thing, eating a healthy breakfast, meditating, choosing water instead of a monster). With the intention being that by doing so I will naturally set healthy habits that I can maintain and also instill into my kids without force.0 -
This year I'm focusing on a few things...1) My overall health will be a priority - eating better, exercising regularly with a strong focus on my mental, health while becoming more centered and mindful. 2) Improving my golf handicap, I'm currently a 9.6 and and will be working to get below a 5 this year. 3) Make my yoga practice more of a priority - this will greatly help with my first two goals.
Love me for me and those around me. Be more present. Practice with a purpose.2 -
20Colleen13 wrote: »Not resolutions as much as what I’d like to achieve
* release 20kg into the wild. First goal is 10 but 20 by September when I go on a trip. (Really bad at this so 20 is achievable but quite lofty for me.
* Complete my Te Reo language course
* Get my golf handicap down
* Get in more exercise (sedentary job, mustn’t let the work be an excuse)
Look forward to a busy year.
I love that incorporated a "sport/hobby" goal into your resolutions! I think that will add an element of fun and keep you active without even trying or overthinking things and naturally get you moving. I also work a very sedentary job and know that it is very easy to use "being at work ALL day" (even though you sat on your *kitten*) as an excuse to not do anything else as an excuse- so I am proud of you for putting it out into the open to start the ball rolling!!! Go you!!!0 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »Have been working on it already, but continue working on poor mobility from years of a desk job in front of a computer and a long driving commute.
The fact that you know, are already working on making a change, staying committed, and still speaking it into the universe so it stays relevant..... that inspiring!!! Best wishes for the new year!0 -
I think I have settled on my focus for 2024. I'll call it "focus" instead of "resolution" or "intention." Similar idea, but a different way to think about it perhaps.
For context, I have been working on GRATITUDE the past year, and I'm improving. It's a worthwhile focus, and I will continue to work on it. I am adding the new focus of: SELF-COMPASSION. It will NOT be easy. It will not be measurable or time bound, so it's not a SMART goal, but it' is something I will keep in the forefront of my thoughts and try to incorporate into my daily life.
I think it is an appropriate focus even for fitness. It can help with mental fitness, and we learn more and more how physical health is linked with mental health. Not only that, but being self-critical gets in the way of "motivation" to do things that are good for the body. I put that in quotes because I often write how doing what we know we need to do for weight management and physical fitness don't require motivation any more than brushing our teeth. It just takes DOING. Self-critical thinking can for sure be a road block. It's something perhaps I should have realized many years ago, but for a long time I was too focused on work to really think about what is important. Now I'm free to do that.
When I screw up, I'll just say, "It's OK. Everyone screws up. You learned from this. I'm still a good person." Yeah - this is going to be really hard.3
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