Make Changes, Not Resolutions

Did you make any resolutions this week?   Did you resolve to eat better?  Exercise more? 

Quit smoking?  Slow down and smell the roses?  Sleep more?  Sleep less?

One friend resolved to be the best that he could be.   Maybe he plans on joining the Army. 

How about this?  How about resolving to establish new habits?  Don't just promise yourself to lose 10 pounds, change your eating habits for the better. 

Let's face it....New Year's resolutions are really just a decision to be a better you.  Whatever you see as your shortcomings, whatever you see about yourself that needs to be improved, that's what you resolve to change. 

I looked up "resolve" in Webster's dictionary (online edition, of course).  It said " to make a definite and serious decision to do something."

OK.  I'm good with that.  A "serious" decision, huh.  But shouldn't there be some sort of commitment-type thing in there too?

How about a commitment to establish new habits?  Good habits are what make a lot of people successful.  Books have been written about the subject.

For this discussion, I did what most people do:  I googled up "habits of successful people."  And I found a lot of what really seemed appropriate to this discussion.

Like "Don't Create Back-Up Plans."   You're going to get up in the morning and exercise. Period.  There really isn't an option. Hitting the snooze or re-setting the alarm simply doesn't happen.

And do it at least 5 days a week.  Remember that morning works better since it kicks up your metabolism and removes your excuses.

"Do The Work."  There is no easy way.   Eating right takes effort.     Quitting smoking is hard--nicotine is highly addictive.  If exercise that makes you healthier were easy, everybody would already be doing it.

How about the point that successful people are "Goal Oriented."   Yeah, it does help to establish goals.  But aim high.  And when you reach your goals, set new, higher goals.

It just makes sense to follow that with "Be Results Oriented."  Maybe "be the best person I can be" is just too ambiguous.  How about no fried foods for a month.  And then another month.  And another.  Actions that you follow long enough become habit.

"Successful People Are Honest With Themselves."   I like that one too.  Like, having a diet soda with a triple cheeseburger, hold the lettuce.  Now just who do you think you are kidding?

I like the observation that successful people "Avoid The Crowds."   All those people walking on the treadmill while reading the newspaper, does it seem like it's working for them?

Forget the resolutions--make the decision to truly change the way you pursue health and happiness by making exercise and eating right habits.