It’s a new year and with that comes the discussion of New Year’s Resolutions. Lately I have noticed it is popular for those in the health and fitness realm to talk about why they don’t support the idea of resolutions. I see many posts and blogs along the lines of “Why I’ll never do New Years Resolutions and why you shouldn’t either!” That’s a pretty a definitive statement isn’t it!

Well, I am over here with the unpopular opinion that I actually like New Years Resolutions! I think the issue is not with making resolutions but more with how we make them. How many people do you know who have said starting January 1st I’m going to lose weight and look good by a certain date … and then didn’t? This is why resolutions get a bad rap. This is why folks in the wellness space discourage resolutions because these types of resolution tend to make us feel worse about ourselves not better in addition to not accomplishing the thing we wanted to accomplish.

There is another way to make resolutions that can lead to success, accountability, and improved sense of self satisfaction. My type of resolution is about building small habits that become part of my daily life. That’s a big difference versus giving up something you enjoy or punishing yourself to get to a goal. My style of resolutions doesn’t have to start on January 1st. These are changes I am working towards so I may need to ease in to some of them or tackle them as I feel I am ready.

Let’s dive into how I make my resolutions!

First I create buckets or categories with the goal of having 3 or 4 categories. I want a manageable amount and not an overwhelming list.

Within my categories, I list 3-4 habit changes or goals I have for that category. The key is my habits or goals need to be measurable and need to have a clear action to get there. This is key! I think many resolutions are wrapped around what we want with no real idea of how to get there or how we’ll know if we are making progress.

I’ll share with you one of my buckets as an example.

Goal/Resolution: Reducing cortisol levels and creating more time in the parasympathetic nervous system (I’ve been tested and plan to retest later this year - so that is my measure)

1. Daily morning walk or run with morning light. Somedays this is 10 minutes around the block which is enough to regulate my circadian rhythm. Other days I do my planned run. I am finding starting my day with even a small amount of movement makes me more ready for teaching and all the tasks ahead. My watch lets me know if i’ve gotten in steps or not so that is my measure.

2. Reading - this is a calming, relaxing activity for me. I set myself a goal of 36 books this year so 3 a month. Knowing I have a goal to hit makes me more likely to turn off the tv and settle down with a good book at night. I’m keeping a list of the books I’ve read so I have that visual reinforcement that I am accomplishing my goal!

3. Weekly self care - I have created a list of self care activities from doing a facial at home, epsom salt bath, oil pulling, etc. I am making sure I hit at least one of these a week. I make a note on my calendar so I have a record and a reward for doing my self care.

4. Using a Tens unit for vagal nerve stimulation 5 days a week. I try to use this while I am reading so I am combining these habits. I keep the unit next to my book and these activities can go hand in hand. This way I don’t have remember to carve out a special time for this.

You may look at this list and think none of these items are that big of a change - and that is the point! I’m building in healthy habits that fit my existing lifestyle. I didn’t need a complete makeover - just some refinement and accountability. That is what the resolution does for me. Resolutions don’t have to be about the the New Year but it is a good time to make an assessment of where we are and where we would like to be. If January didn’t start off that great - how about thinking about what you’d like to do differently in February.