New Year, New You!

2020 of course will not be the exception of years in which companies, people, and organizations try to take advantage of the age old tradition of 'New Year- New You' marketing. I love the idea of a new year, pressing forward in time and making goals for a fresh slate. This was once a time for me however, that I would focus on losing more weight or changing some physical aspect of myself almost ever since I can remember. New Years is a bitter sweet time, it's the end of a long holiday season (Halloween-New Years), the end of joyous family celebrations and get-togethers (not this year- thanks COVID), and the buttoning up of the current year- GOOD riddance 2020!!!! 

Our society shoves down our throat images and messages of the New Year being a time to CHANGE YOU.  Don't get me wrong, I'm all about striving for the best version of yourself any damn day of the year. I support the exploration to better your life and circumstances in any field of your choosing- the sky is the limit, but it's often focused on our bodies and that is what I'm not down with. There is pressure year round to have the ideal physique- whatever that may be, but this time of year it's on the radio, pop-up ads, banners on the internet, social media, emails, and in passing conversation even NON-STOP- it's inescapable. 

This year I'm challenging you instead to try a different route and view all of this through a different lens. It's natural to want to start planning ahead and thinking about what you want to accomplish over the next year. Unfortunately, this planning gets clouded with all the diet messages filling our social feeds and does it ever actually improve health? I recommend a new option, try instead to think of a goal for the new year that is sustainable, practical, realistic, and serves you truly and authentically. Diet's don't work long-term, period- I said it, it's the truth. Don't start your new year off with unobtainable goals set by the diet industry- instead resolve to have a non-diet New Year with me. 

If you want to improve your lifestyle behaviors to improve health, look to add more variety (think color) in your eating patterns, avoid the comparison trap around eating by working out and selecting movement that works for you- your schedule, your body, and your mind, diversify your social media (best thing I did last year as one of my goals was to follow, listen, and read from people that DO NOT look like me, focus on that movement of your choosing and do it daily in a way that sparks joy and ensure it's something you actually look forward to, and lastly, reach out to others and develop a sense of community with people that share your values to add to your life, not take away. 

Don't fall into the resolution trap that all too often ends in letdown and failure. I have found personally when I've tried to lose weight for many years and with various methods- all I ever did was lose quality of life instead, not gaining anything substantial. Last year I decided to instead create goals that I thought would open me up to new experiences, challenge me mentally & emotionally, and have me meet and surround myself with people that I normally wouldn't have. What were my findings? I have diversified my circle. I have opened my mind to so many methods and ideas that I have never been exposed to before, and I allowed myself to give grace to not only me, but also to others- which has spurred true empathy. This has allowed for me to do one of the most important things we as humans can do in life and that is to connect with others. This kind of goal isn't for the half ass, it's for the whole ass & I've had to continue working on it till even today, because I plan on keeping up with these goals for life. Do yourself a solid and say, "Hard pass on those diet resolutions!", and shift your focus to the greater things in life. Have a happy & safe New Year friends!