as 2010 comes to a close (THANK YOU SWEET BABY JESUS)- i encourage you to spend the next week reflecting on the good and bad of the last 365 days (note the previous blog on my reflection process). now, if you're in the same boat as i am, you're willing to forgive AND forget with the upcoming year- starting with a BLANK slate. i'm one who gives out second changes about as often a full lunar eclipse on the winter solstice (there have been few exceptions to this rule- and you know who you are.) But guess what- starting at 12:01am on january 1, 2011- you get a second chance. a COMPLETE full chance. you are starting with blank slates in my book- wiped clean. you can interpret this as a beneficial or detrimental event as you so choose.
now- many stress over this time of year. it's the beginning of a new year, and you're suppose to change things, right? well. no. change should promptly come when it's needed. don't fix it if it ain't broken. so, my question to you- are you broken? or is your life perfect?
if you are like most of my dear friends, you wouldn't consider yourself broken, but you're life isn't perfect. a few changes typically are needed to be made. here a few steps in helping you make those changes.
1- DON'T KILL YOURSELF. sounds normal right- but new years resolutions are stressful and successfully completing one takes quite a bit of energy and willpower- why would you ever overload yourself with more than THREE. prioritize with what's the most important to you-- gaining love, losing weight, reinventing yourself, obtaining a new job, quitting smoking/dropping a bad habit, and improving a current relationship all at the same time would KILL you.
2- DON'T HOLD IT IN... here's the thing- most of us are afraid to admit our imperfections and flaws. so naturally, when it comes time to improve them, we keep these dirty little secrets to ourselves. society somehow makes us think we should keep these secret desires of change to ourselves- partially because if we fail to commit to the change- the only one who will know is you. society has told you WRONG. the more people who know, the more support you will have. there's no harm is asking for help or reaching out if you need help, and any TRUE friend would be there to support you. don't believe me? confide in me. i'll help you as long as you have the desire to help yourself first. build your support system and your can accomplish much more than what you can by yourself.
3- DON'T BITE OFF MORE THAN YOU CAN CHEW- "i'm going to lose 150 pounds in 3 months!" yeah- and end up dead or failing. i'm a big advocate for shooting for the moon, but the most successful changes come in a small increments. aim relatively low with your goals. set achievable goals that aren't out of reach. ten to fifteen pounds make a world of difference and can easily be completed by april (with dedication, willpower, and strength from a strong support system!) if you decide that you're wanting to do an entire makeover on yourself- contact me, we will talk! (i'm currently going through this process- let's share stories!)
4- DO WRITE YOUR GOALS DOWN- you are more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down and place them somewhere you can see them everyday. get creative. :)
5- DO REWARD/DON'T PUNISH- when you make small steps towards your goal, make sure you take the time to celebrate! i'm not saying for every five pounds you lose, go and eat 30 pounds of chocolate cake, but make sure you emotionally and physically reward yourself. a little Pavlovian conditioning goes a long way.
and with that- i wish you the best of luck. good luck making the changes that you feel necessary. let me know if you need any help.
till next time,
eat your veggies! afterall, this is the confessions of a college dieter.
eat your veggies! afterall, this is the confessions of a college dieter.
