Today the fitness centres will be full, the diets are beginning, people resolve to quit smoking, drinking etc., or determine to improve themselves in a myriad of different ways.
Those of us who workout regularly despise the months of January and February, when the flock of newbies hoard the machines, and who also are doing the exercises wrong. "Tut, tut" we say, and we wait. Because within a couple of months, if not earlier, most of these efforts will be abandoned.
Not only in the gyms, but the diets, the quit whatever, the "I'll be a better person by……" It is the annual desire to improve in some way, but alas, because people can't see an improvement in a day, or week, or just incremental improvements after a month, or they "cheat" by having "just one smoke or drink: and then they go "what's the point", abandon their efforts and end up next year with the same resolution and intent to do better.
Why do people end up on this hamster wheel of disappointment? Because everyone is looking for a fairy godmother to wield a magic wand, wave it and remove whatever offends one. Unfortunately, fairy godmothers are illusionary, and the reality is making any positive change in your life takes effort and sacrifice. (And remember even the fairy godmother couldn't maintain Cinderella's makeover past midnight).
The fitness clubs, the diet gurus, the smoke cessation product companies all promise (unless you read the fine-print with the disclaimers) a better you, if you buy into their marketing. And they usually have a "in four weeks" you can lose x amount of pounds, or feel 10 years younger. Wow, who wouldn't want that? I mean, four weeks? I can do anything for four weeks!
The unfortunate thing is that after working out several times a week or going on a crash diet, people revert to their old ways. "I got too busy," "I'm just taking a short-break," "I'm going on vacation." Excuses, wrapped up in pretty words. Because once you revert to the way you have been living for years, well, let's face it, you haven't incorporated the new way.
If you are really serious about positive change, accept the incremental improvements. Don't say "gee, I lost five pounds, so now I can celebrate with a slab of chocolate cake." Keep at it. Focus. Chose one area where you commit -- that is don't say I'm going to diet, start a fitness program and etc. Just one. And stick to it.
Don't expect to see an immediate improvement. It's taken you years to get this way and it is going to take you a while to change. Don't go for the crash diets, because beyond this not being healthy, your body goes into starvation mode and once you stop, you'll gain more weight back. Don't say I'm going to go to the gym 5 days a week, start with one, or two and then move up from there. Otherwise you will disappoint yourself and then say 'what's the point.'
There was a quote from author Carl Bard I came across the other day that truly resonated with me about changing one's life.
"Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending."
So whatever you are considering for 2014 keep this quote in mind. And then be able to reflect on New Year's Eve 2014, how you've created a great new ending for your life!
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