NEW YEAR, NEW YOU
How many of you DESPISE that phrase? I'm sensing a high number here! But WHY?
For a lot of us, it's because we fail. We fail at the enormous and unrealistic goals we make for ourselves on December 31. Why do we fail? Because the goals are... see above, ENORMOUS and unrealistic.
With people around the world rounding out year 2 of COVID, those who didn't find inspiration in the isolation are tired of the pounds gained, the lethargy with which life has been approached, among other things... so CHANGE IT!
Easier said than done, right? No. But there IS a catch. You HAVE TO MAKE REALISTIC GOALS!
So, what does a set a realistic goals look like, versus a set of unrealistic goals? Well, that will vary from person to person, and it might not look at pronounced as my coming example, but it will give you an idea.
UNREALISTIC GOALS:
1. Lose 100 pounds
2. Exercise 5 days a week for an hour each day
3. Spend 2 hours a day in nature
REALISTIC GOALS:
1. Create healthy meal plans with the goal of reducing calories/carbs/etc for natural weight loss
a. join a program like Noom? or DIY?
1. on from there
2. Find/Piece together an exercise program that targets my problem area(s)
a. stomach/abs
b. legs
3. Exercise 3 hours a week, including short walks outside after dinner
a. get up 30 minutes early for exercise 3 days a week (1.5 hours)
b. take a 15 minute walk daily after dinner (1.75 hours)
See the differences between the two sets of goals? The first one is outrageous and way too hard for a person who isn't already super disciplined with food and exercise. People that make goals like this start strong but tend to let off my March, then get depressed because they failed. It's okay to fail, but we must treat failures as lessons. We learn that this thing we tried, is a bit ambitious, so let's knock it down a couple of notches and try again, huh?
Look at the second set of goals... not only are the goals themselves more realistic for newbs, but there is a plan involved. Saying "I want to lose weight!" is a goal, but a poor goal. HOW are you going to do it? If you don't have a plan, chances are you won't do well, will get frustrated, and give up. Planning is everything! My husband taught me two things (well I mean, he's taught me more than two, but these two are relevant) from his time in the Navy.
They are: The 7 P's
Positive Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance
and
Proper Problem Solving requires Proper Problem Definition
The 7 P's tell us not to go into something without a plan. As much as I like to be a "Pantster" rather than a "Planner" some things just need plans. Goals are one of those things.
The second phrase tells us that in order to move forward with a solution, we first need to know the actual problem. For example... if you're retaining water and that is what is causing your weight to be higher than you'd like, you wouldn't do ab exercises and expect good results. Instead, up your water intake and lower your sodium intake to combat water weight.
Now, obviously this might not be YOUR problem, but whatever your problem IS, you need to DEFINE the problem, before you fix it.
So what I'm getting at with all of this, is that it IS possible to have a successful NEW YEAR, NEW YOU... you just have to go about it the correct way.
I can help with that, so if you're curious contact me about Life Coaching. I can assist you with proper goal setting, be there to lend an ear, help you hold yourself accountable for your plans and goals, and more. Sessions are done 100% online through FB message or email so you can be completely comfortable. Find out more about Life Coaching and my other available services here: La Luna Gitana (opens in new window)
Now, off I go to make some beignets with my boys, tomorrow I start forming my OWN goals and maybe, I'll blog about them, to keep MYSELF accountable!
Until next time,
Latcho drom and Baxtalo Nevo Bersh! (Happy New Year)
