Ugh! The alarm fired off at 5:30am signaling that vacation was officially over and it’s back to work. After spending much of the holiday staycation hanging out in comfy sweats and croc’s it was a rude shock to put on business attire and “real” shoes. Thankfully our commuting traffic was light the first couple of days back so it was a more graceful entrance back to reality.
The morning infotainment programming since the new year has been filled with “how to” weight loss pieces and smattered with Oprah’s Weight Watchers advertisement and New Year’s resolutions. Really? Every year, the same thing. Lose weight, stop drinking, sugar detox, going vegetarian…its just all so boring.
Nothing changes between December 31st and January 1st. The illusion of a new year, new start perhaps. Really, if one want's to make a change it can be done anytime. Say, March 23rd or June 5th, or September 1st... Dates are irrelevant, make your change when you are ready, not because of a calendar or all the advertising that is pushed down our throats. I believe changes made when a person is ready will have a greater chance of success than the "New Years Resolution" method. According to the Statistic Brain Institute about 45% of people make a NYR, and only 8% successfully achieve their [goal] resolution. http://www.statisticbrain.com/new-years-resolution-statistics/ (Another interesting read: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/wired-success/201412/why-people-cant-keep-their-new-years-resolutions)
Then what's the point? For years my own unscientific study, which mostly resides around my gym, has proven these statistics to be true. For 15 years running I have seen the gym hold membership specials every December. Starting late December, the gym floor and classes are packed. You can spot all the newbies. The guys on the floor in the weight room wonder around as they are not sure how to use the equipment or what exercises to do. All the new members show up with pretty new tennis shoes and matching outfits and are not sure how to work the cardio machines. (Really, shame on the gym for not providing them guidance their first few visits.) By February, the floor and classes start to clear out and by March, it's back to the old crew and the space we are accustomed to having. At work, those that actually announce their resolutions - I'm going to get in shape, I'm going to stop eating sugar, I'm going to train and do a triathlon in May...whatever. Never happens. The repetitiveness of this year after year is sooooo boring.
We all should stop listening to societal pressures and work toward self acceptance. If you're cool with yourself, it's not likely you'll worry about what others are doing or care what social media tells us we should look like or want. Work toward liking who you are, thin, plump, young or mature. Just be the best you, you can be.
