I’m not sure what it is about the start of a new year that makes us all look at our goals, inspire changes, and reassess our life choices – but every year it happens. The uptake of diet programmes, the influx of newbies at the gym and the sharing of New Year’s resolutions made with great intentions.
The sentiments behind the story line in Bridget Jones’ Diary are actually real! And I feel well equipped to write about this because I am one of these people! I not as exciting as Bridget – but I have reached many a New Year writing the same resolutions as the previous year!
New Year is an ‘odd’ time. In my experience, when you are unfulfilled/unhappy with life, the New Year acts as a stark reminder that life is still shitty, and despite all the promises you made to yourself last year – nothing is different. And for those who are lucky enough not to have been there – I can tell you with complete confidence that it really sucks.
But, when life is good, a New Year feels like a fresh new chapter and inspires feelings of change and motivation.
Last year I was super motivated and keen. I set out like a bull in a china shop. I wanted to shed some much needed pounds, get fit, get my life admin organised, get the rest of my shit together and all on top of launching a new business as well as maintaining four others – not to mention juggling ponies, small people and a relationship.
January started, I felt inspired and motivated. I started running. I dislike running – mainly because I am not a natural runner and it is hard – but it burns calories faster than I can burn them on a bike, and we have a treadmill at home so I have zero excuses.
I went on the treadmill twice – it felt good, so on day three I bashed out 5km in 24 minutes having not run for well over a year and guess what… yep – I royally broke myself. I hurt my back so badly that I couldn’t put my pants and socks on, and it was June before I could even think about running again.
The moral of my story is the reason for this blog!
Making changes are great, and I am the first one to see the value in setting goals, but last year was a great reminder of many things:
1. Be realistic
I am not as young as I used to be and my body is actually one of the most valuable things I have – treat it with respect and don’t expect it to be an athlete when I’ve been largely sitting on my ass ‘abusing’ my body with tea, chocolate and unsuitable food choices. I wouldn’t dream of treating my horses like this so why am I happy to do this to myself? I need to be more realistic.
2. Sustainable changes
Make sustainable changes that lead to positive long term lifestyle choices. For example – I can’t sustain exercising seven days a week (nor do I want to) – so instead this year, in July, I made a plan to train four times a week. And, because for the most part it is manageable, I’ve stuck to it.
3. What’s important?
I need to prioritise my goals so they are meaningful and not set so many that they feel overwhelming. Do I really care about goal number 23 on my list? If not scratch it off!
4. Don’t wait for New Year
It doesn’t need to be New Year to make changes and reassess goals. I made one of the best life choices connected to my health in the middle of last year.
5. Be kind to yourself
Still working on this… If you are sore, or short on time and can’t train for a day then don’t beat yourself up; or if you really fancy that chocolate bar – have it without thinking you’ve ruined your entire diet.
6. Go hard or go home?!
Whilst I’m all for being committed to making changes and always throw myself in to whatever I do, I’ve also come to realise that you can’t keep going hard… because you crash and burn. Playing the long game and not just going for the short term fix is, in my opinion, a much better solution, so that it becomes sustainable beyond January.
I believe you can make positive changes all year round and I think I have finally learnt the value of the hare and the tortoise!
I am not for one minute saying ditch the diets, cancel the gym membership, don’t sign up to Lauren’s challenges – I’m just reminding you to take a breath, look at the bigger picture so that your choices are sustainable past January.
And finally and most importantly – make sure you are having fun doing it.
Liz x
