Stuck in a rut? Making the same old resolutions year after year? Breaking the same old resolutions year after year? Got the will power of a weenie?
Don’t beat yourself up over it. Making a resolution is recognizing there is a need for a change that will make your life better. Stepping on that slippery path to a successful resolution can be one of the hardest things you have ever done. Especially when you make the resolution a hard one like losing those 20 kilos of trans-fat orbiting your belly button or to stop smoking.
Try making a little easier on yourself. Instead of looking forward to losing the battle to drop weight, why not set a goal to exercise instead. Regular exercise has been associated with many health benefits. Studies show that you live longer, it will help you lose and maintain weight loss. It lowers blood pressure, soothes arthritic pain, it reduces the risk of some cancers, and by god, you even feel better. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better. If you keep at it you will eventually lose the 20 kilos without the anguish of not making the goal in a month.
As for the dreaded cold turkey of nicotine addiction it’s gotten easier over the years. A quick trip to the local clinic or drugstore will provide you with a 101 ways to replace cigarettes, cigars, pipes or chewing tobacco as your favourite nicotine delivery system. I can hear the whiners out there (I’m one myself on this issue) saying I tried this but it didn’t work. That’s because you are an addict. Say it out loud and proud (unless in court), confront the demon within and acknowledge it. When you do, you will be on the road to redemption or at least the chance for a longer healthier life.
Don’t despair over past failures to stop smoking as it usually takes most people four attempts before they manage to stop for good. That means on the average they failed three times before gaining control of their addiction. See, we aren’t total losers after all (except for those half-wits who will no doubt be phoning me up to tell me I’ve always been a total loser.)
By the way, only 12% of resolutions are actually carried out to a successful conclusion. Women can better their chances to keeping the New Year’s resolution by 10% by making the goals public and getting support from their friends. Men do better by setting measurable goals, like “I will only drink three beers today” when tapering off drinking.
As for me I wish to keep my wishes simple. I hereby resolve this year to be less humble and wishy washy. I will be assertive but not domineering… wait that’s today’s horoscope for me… but I’m allowed to make that a resolution aren’t I? Will I have the astrologers after me for plagiarism. I don’t think I copied it word for word. I’m so bad at this. I could do better.
Dammit, I’m being humble and wishy washy again. Time to start those self-esteem classes. I think I’ll have the staff refer to me as Lord and Master. Now that’s a New Year’s resolution just waiting to be broken. Probably a few times over my head but in the meantime I and everyone here wish you all a Happy New Year and all the best in the year to come.
