According to , 80 percent of our New Year鈥檚 resolutions fail. That number is quite discouraging, not to mention that鈥檚 a lot of pressure to put on ourselves.
If your your enthusiasm has stalled in past years, or you’re starting to lose steam this year, don鈥檛 worry, read on for six great strategies to help you reboot your resolve and rebalance for 2022.
1. 鈥楾is the season to be kind to yourself.
Be patient with yourself the way you would be patient with a spouse or loved one. Start by ditching the guilt and shame associated with聽weight issues. Health and well-being are dynamic鈥揳n ever-changing balancing act. We each have natural cycles of activity, restoration, nutrition, and elimination. For example, if you find you no longer have the motivation to exercise since you made your well-meaning resolution to 鈥済et fit and stay fit,鈥� or if you鈥檙e just not achieving the results you want, DON鈥橳 give up, but DO take the pressure off.
Maybe what鈥檚 holding you back is what used to work may no longer be effective for one or more reasons. Consider rebalancing your seasonal lifestyle. Winter can be a time for increased nurturing. This may mean reading a book, sharing more quality family time, or enjoying a hobby.
2. Reassess your fitness goals.
Mix it up! If your current activities aren鈥檛 working, start to reassess your goals by looking at what鈥檚 healthy and reasonable for your specific needs. When it comes to fitness, priorities, and goals will vary depending on age, gender, and other health conditions. The intensity, pace, and type of exercise that worked for you in your 20s or 30s may no longer be effective.
Are your , 补苍诲听 at healthy levels? You may want to seek the help of a naturopathic physician or your health care provider to help set goals that are specific to you and are more reasonable鈥攖herefore attainable. Life happens, so be flexible. Start by setting a goal of 150 minutes for the week to build consistency. If 22 minutes of activity per day isn鈥檛 doable鈥hen maybe 30 minutes one day鈥r whatever you can balance over the course of seven days that will add up to 150.
Here is another thought, if an evening workout doesn鈥檛 benefit you, try switching it to the morning. The early-morning daylight may help keep you motivated. Include a variety of activities in a regular聽 as well. Maybe alternating cardio and strength training with flexibility exercises or yoga will help you find your right balance.
3. Control Stress: Nurture with Nature.
Spend time in nature. Take a long walk, enjoy the changing聽 of the season near a window, or in front of the fireplace with a cozy blanket and a favorite healthy beverage. Depending on the season and where you live, you may want to try聽 for its relaxing and immune-boosting properties. It helps lift brain fog 补苍诲听. If you live in a northern climate, alternatives may include a winter hike, cross-country skiing, bird-watching, or even building a snowman with your kids! Focus on optimizing your whole health, don鈥檛 fixate on just one concern.
4. Balance Nutrition and Hydration.
Are you eating what your body needs to stay healthy and drinking enough healthy fluids to stay properly聽? If not, energy levels will lag and motivation may be lost, along with any well-meaning New Year鈥檚 resolutions. Add healthy choices into what you鈥檙e already doing: consider increasing聽, add more whole fruits, vegetables, and healthy proteins. Keep in mind that eating is a social activity, so maybe what you need is to spend quality mealtimes with your partner, family, or friends.
TIP: Another way to increase healthy eating is to direct your attention to the聽 aisles in the grocery store鈥攖his is where the fresh veggies, fruits, and healthy proteins reside. Following this plan may help reduce cravings for processed or junk foods, because you avoid those aisles of the store.
Don鈥檛 forget hydration: every cell in your body needs it to function. Focus on fluids that are rich in electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals; examples include herbal teas and Kombucha, however there are many more options, so be open to new alternatives. A naturopathic physician or your healthcare provider can help you聽reevaluate your needs through dietary assessment and nutritional counseling.
5. Get Enough Sleep.
Sleep is our body鈥檚 way to heal and recover. Common concerns related to sleep are whether you鈥檙e getting enough sleep or staying asleep through the night. Poor or insufficient sleep can slow the聽, increase calorie storage as聽, increase appetite, and make it more challenging to make healthy food choices. 聽Some of us function well on six to eight hours a night, others need more or less. If you’re not refreshed when you wake up in the morning, you won鈥檛 be motivated to do many things throughout the rest of the day, including working, socializing, or exercising.
6. Keep a Positive Attitude.
One of the ways you can do that is by surrounding yourself with positive people. Don鈥檛 get dragged down by someone else鈥檚 negative outlook or emotions. A positive outlook keeps you energized and ready to tackle life鈥檚 challenges, while a negative one will only deplete your physical and mental strength.聽 tend to be more physically active and follow healthier lifestyles in general.
After a bold, ambitious start to the New Year there may be many reasons you get sidetracked on the road to your healthy lifestyle. The great news is that by trying these strategies, you can get back on track to reaching your goals naturally.
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