Does anyone truly believe that they will keep their new year’s resolutions beyond January? I’m not saying people can’t reach their goals, I’m just saying that resolutions we make on January 1 tend to get kicked to the curb when the going gets tough or we don’t see results as immediately as we expect. This year, instead of setting goals to exercise every day or forgo cookies forever, make a few new year’s anti-resolutions that will actually motivate you to get fit, eat well, and relish a healthy lifestyle.
Does anyone truly believe that they will keep their new year’s resolutions beyond January? I’m not saying people can’t reach their goals, I’m just saying that resolutions we make on January 1 tend to get kicked to the curb when the going gets tough or we don’t see results as immediately as we expect. This year, instead of setting goals to exercise every day or forgo cookies forever, make a few new year’s anti-resolutions that will actually motivate you to get fit, eat well, and relish a healthy lifestyle.
New Year’s Anti-Resolutions
1. Drink more
Yes, you read it: Drink more. Does this mean become a barstool regular and drink yourself into not caring about your health? Nope. Rather, it is an encouragement to stay hydrated with adequate water intake as well as consider having an alcoholic drink a day. Research suggests a daily glass of wine, beer, or even hard liquor can help reduce the risk for heart disease — when enjoyed in moderation. Stick to one alcoholic drink a day since too many alcoholic drinks can easily pack on the pounds, not to mention increase your risk for chronic illnesses.
2. Skip the gym
Let’s face it: If you’ve been going to the gym for years and really haven’t reached your fitness goals ( and haven’t kept your new year’s resolutions to work out more, take new classes, or do something other than the elliptical), drop your gym membership. Find others ways to exercise, such as join a walking or running club, do home fitness DVDs, or join a less expensive yoga, Zumba, or martial arts studio to add variety to your fitness routine. Chances are you’ll not only see your body changing, you’ll also save money while getting more fit.
3. Sleep in
Why start every day with the stressful blaring of an alarm? Since your day is probably already jam-packed with tension-producing events, allow yourself to wake up in a peaceful state. If you’ve been getting up before dawn to workout, consider a lunch break sweat so you can sleep in an extra hour. If you’re a reluctant early riser because you have breakfast to make and lunches to pack, fix and freeze breakfast casseroles, pancakes, and waffles so all you have to do is reheat them. While you’re at it, pack lunches the night before. Getting more sleep isn’t a luxury, it is actually essential for your overall health — it keeps you more alert, boosts your immune system, helps you better manage stress, aids in weight control, and certainly makes you a happier person. It’s time to get more of it!
4. Eat dessert
Even if you’re striving to lose weight, make room in your daily diet for a sweet treat. We’re not talking about a jumbo slice of cake or half a dozen cookies, we’re suggesting a small daily portion of your favorite dessert. My favorite sweet nibble is dark chocolate (the darker the better), so I have a modest daily serving of the darkest chocolate I can find. On days when I’m craving more, such as cookies, pie, or frozen desserts, I dole out a small portion, take the time to sit with my dessert, and eat slowly, savoring every single bite. In doing so, I never feel deprived and I find that my life is significantly more delicious with dessert than without it.
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