Redefining Your New Years Resolutions
Us at Good Living Nutrition would like to begin by thanking each and every one of you for your support this past year, we have more and more of you joining our journey each day and we can't wait for you to see what we have in store for 2024. We are all now back to reality, and as the new year unfolds and we find ourselves immersed in the heart of winter, with the winter solstice and yule behind us, a natural inclination for reflection sets in. The turning of the calendar page signals not just the passage of time but beckons us to contemplate and seek opportunities for change.
We tend to look for change following reflection of our year past. Perhaps we are not happy with certain things, maybe our weight is the issue, or the way we look or feel about ourselves, or perhaps it is to do with our bank accounts and lack of funds. Usually something we want but have not got.
“I will lose 10 or 20 pounds in weight”, “I will stop eating bread and sugar”, “I will go to the gym 5 times a week” or “I will drink less each week” etc. etc. etc. These are the types of new year’s resolutions I used to make to myself, I used to look to change each January year after year and by March, these intentions would typically falter.
This happened slowly but surely, until I had justified the failure somehow in my mind that at least I tried but “I will start again tomorrow or next week”, until it had faded completely then it was back to the same old same old.
Today, I don’t look for change - I look for progress. Change is constant. Change happens no matter what. The body changes as we grow older, the weather changes each day, relationships change, circumstances change, the economy changes. Although change throughout life is automatic, it is also hard for us as humans to achieve. We push ourselves, and when we don’t see immediate results, we give up. Progress is different. Progress is the gradual improvement or completion of something. Progress takes time.
The majority of new year’s resolutions are “I am going to cut down on sugar” or “I will stop smoking” or “I am going to lose 10 pounds in the next 3 months”. While all are great and positive resolutions, the problem is these types of resolutions are simple, not very inspiring, and hard to achieve. There is no great vision, no big picture, and it’s difficult to imagine and move forward with. To achieve these kinds of goals, you have to constantly push and push yourself, which is where it falls apart. Constantly pushing yourself requires a lot of will power and it will not last because it takes a lot of energy and effort to sustain. However, the pull of something that excites you, that’s attractive, that stimulates your imagination and inspires you is different, and it will last. It will get you fired up and out of bed on a morning, your energy will be ignited and it will pull you towards progression – and then change. Want to lose weight? Great. But it cannot begin and end with that statement. You must understand the if's, what's, where's, when's and why's. You must envision the after, and this will pull you to work towards it every day.
I take my health and wellbeing very seriously. Believe me, this is not something that happened overnight. It has taken years of progress to develop from a vision and a contract I made with myself when I was in very deep pain about my weight, health and life. I was very overweight, and my health was starting to fail in certain areas, my self-esteem was very low, and I was feeling very self-conscious and unpleasant about myself and my lifestyle. I’m sure most people can agree to some degree – and also agree that these feelings tend to be the basis of your new year’s resolutions.
I made a firm decision I would do something about it and today, almost 6 years later, I have lost 60 pounds in weight (over 4 stone), I have gained 42 pounds of lean muscle, I work every day to improve my mental wellbeing and my outlook on life, and I am now a qualified nutritionist undertaking advanced study and research into nutrition and the body, I learn more and more every single day about nutrition and it is astounding how much we as a society do not know.
This active, positive lifestyle however takes constant maintenance. It was born out of a fully-fledged vision that would uproot all corners of my life. It didn’t just happen like magic; it’s taken 6 years of continuous progress with many challenges and ups and downs along the way.
Achieving lasting change requires a strategic approach to New Year's resolutions. Through my personal and educational experience, I have crafted these steps to help ensure your resolutions are not just fleeting goals but enduring transformations. Tried and tested, these can help you to envision-your-vision:
Step 1: Craft a Compelling Vision
To embark on your journey of lasting change, start with a vivid and authentic vision of the person you aspire to become. Don’t think small. This vision should be driven by your true desires, not societal expectations, or external pressures. There could be multiple things you are unhappy with and wish to change – include them all however big or small. For a vision to be compelling, it must be backed up with strong enough reasons so that it will pull you through when the going gets tough or when the distractions become tempting to you.
Step 2: Identify the Reasons Behind Your Vision
Delve into the reasons behind your vision. Understand the costs, fears, and motivations associated with your goals. How did you get to this point? Why is it causing you pain? By articulating why you want to achieve a certain outcome, you create a foundation that will pull you back on track when faced with obstacles or distractions.
Step 3: Daily Review and Conscious Focus
Integrate your vision into your daily routine. Review it consistently, be conscious about it, be obsessed about it. Visualization, feelings, and attraction play a crucial role here. Write down your goals, make daily plans, and incorporate them into your schedule. Remember small steps are progress. This daily engagement reinforces your commitment and transforms your vision into a habit.
Step 4: Change Your Standards
Evaluate your existing standards and question how they've shaped your current situation. Many people adhere to standards set years ago that may no longer serve them. Identify areas of your life where you feel limited or unsatisfied and inquire into the origins of issues like weight gain, health concerns, addiction, or financial struggles. This can be difficult as you can be faced with issues you may have been ignorant to for years. I certainly was.
By understanding and challenging these standards, you can redefine your identity and set new, empowering standards aligned with your vision. This process opens the door to sustainable change by addressing the root causes of your current circumstances.
I can appreciate this is easier said than done, which is why we’re here right now. After struggling myself for decades, I made it my mission to help others achieve what I have achieved. Our coaching sessions aren’t just about meal plans and product recommendations. We can help you discover who you are and help transform you into who you want to be.
If you would like additional help, feel free to reach out to us and inquire about the Aspire Programme - an initiative crafted to inspire and collaborate with individuals seeking to enhance their health and well-being. Regardless of your specific pain or challenge, we are committed to identifying the root cause, implementing tailored solutions, and supporting you on your transformative journey towards the life you envision. Your initial consultation session will help us find out where we’re at and will be free of charge.
Whether your goal is weight reduction or gain, overcoming disease or discomfort, making a comprehensive lifestyle change for an enriched daily living experience, or if you are already at peak performance and aspire for further improvement, the Good Living programme is designed to cater to your needs. Get in touch with us for more information and discover how this program can work for you.
Best wishes and Happy New Year!