Ty Miranda, 127 YinD

Every. Single. Year. We all do this, and don’t even try to tell me you don’t. When the New Year comes around, we all think about the changes we are going to keep this time. “This year I am going to run a marathon, seriously” or “This year I’m going to lose that extra weight.” By February or March, these resolutions often wear out and we go back to our usual ways.

That’s why, this year, I urge you to forget the New Year Resolutions and just try a small goal or challenge. Instead of going for one large goal at once, try to make small changes in your life that would lead up to your large goal. For example, if you want to run a marathon and you currently can only run a 5K, try aiming for a 10K first. That is an easily attainable and less daunting task. Once you are at a 10K, why not aim for a half marathon and so on. These minimal goals and progressions are better for mentality and motivation because you can celebrate achievements more frequently.  

If you are looking to lose weight, it’s probably not helpful to focus on a number. Instead, focus on some small diet changes. For example, you can try cutting out one soda at a time or maybe reducing the amount of chips you eat little by little. Target healthy lifestyle changes instead of some obsolete number.

The way to getting to those extreme resolution goals is by making small attainable goals for yourself. It’s also by focusing on the lifestyle changes versus the end result. Those with a healthy lifestyle are able to weigh less and reach larger exercise goals, but it’s not the most important part. Below, I wrote some small goals you may want to try whenever, or even starting on New Year’s Day.

I want to lose weight.

1. I will only drink soda on the weekends.
2. I will start eating two servings of veggies a day.
3. I will stop putting extra sugar in my coffee.

I want to run everyday.

1. I will start running for ten minutes three times a week.
2. I will start training for my first race.
3. I will start running for forty minutes on Saturdays.

I want to be super fit.  

1. I will practice yoga twice a week.
2. I will start walking around my community in the evenings.
3. I will start using weights to exercise.

I want a six pack.

1. I will start doing 30 sit ups, three times a week.
2. I will start adding cardio to my workout routine.
3. I will start drinking 6 glasses of water on most days.
   

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