Happy New Year everyone!! Although things have been different this year with the pandemic restrictions in place, I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable holiday. Wishing you a healthy and amazing 2021!
Nearing the end of the year, it’s common to look back and reflect on what happened in your life. The challenges you faced and the successes you celebrated. Milestones passed and things you wish had been different. It’s in this spirit that we start to set goals for the coming year. Goals meant to improve our lives both professionally and personally. New year’s resolutions run the gamut, but health-focused goals, especially weight loss, are very popular. The marketing for gyms, fitness centres, diet plans, and more go into overdrive at this time of year.
As a dietitian, I believe that goal-setting is a key component of success. However; the way in which we frame or set up those goals is critical. There are tons of diets and fads out there that promise a “20 lbs weight loss in 2 weeks!”, or to “watch belly fat melt away!”. Forgive my eye-rolling, but, really? While many of the diets or food trends propagated online could in fact help you see those results, they won’t stick around for long. Drastic and hugely restrictive changes to your diet will obviously lead to drastic changes in weight. But can any of us really maintain that way of eating long-term? I know I can’t.
So for me, the “new year, new me” approach feels too drastic. Why should you have to change who you are to achieve your health goals? Lord knows I won’t be waking at 5am for a workout and a cold shower just because a program says I should. A better strategy might be to examine your strengths and your lifestyle to then set goals for change within those parameters. That isn’t to say that you can’t change your life in a big way, you can! But it’s important to acknowledge that change like that doesn’t happen overnight.
It’s about taking small steps, achievable and realistic goals for who you are right now that you can build on. Small changes that eventually lead to big change. Also known as, putting in the work. And I get that that’s not as appealing as quick results. But it does last longer. It does give you a lasting sense of pride in your accomplishments. It does set you up as a positive role model for the people around you. It does help you to build a healthy body and mind.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re setting your goals:
1. Be realistic! Don’t be convincing yourself you like tofu when you can’t stomach the sight.
2. Be confident. If your goals could be arranged on a confidence scale from 0 (Not happening) - 10 (I got this), your goals should land at least at a 7. If you feel confident you can accomplish something, chances are you will. That success will bolster you as you progressively set more challenging goals to get you where you want to be.
3. Understand it takes time. Like any other habit, it takes time to adjust to a new lifestyle and it can take time to see your results, but you’ll get there.
So whether you’re looking to manage your weight, eat more plant-based foods or start to be intentional about the food you’re eating, give yourself a head start on good health and be smart with your goal-setting. Or better yet, contact us, we love to help!
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