New Year's 'Resolve-Alution'

A fresh start to a New Year often comes with New Year's resolutions. We are determined to make change, but those determinations and goals often quickly fade. Instead of a New Year's resolution consider a New Year's "Resolve-alution!" Instead of trying to commit to doing something, why not explore and find a solution to why you haven't been doing it in the first place!

It is time to do this Resolution thing differently. It is time to go through the back door and make the long-lasting changes that only come from deep exploration, and an honest change to a lifestyle that is no longer serving you. It is not the easy door to open, but it is the one that will offer great insights, 'aha' moments, growth, and lasting resolve that will make a New Year's resolution last for years to come.

There are important questions that are necessary to explore in order to make lasting change. Most people when making New Year's resolutions fail to succeed because they are not making the significant lifestyle changes that are necessary. It is essential to look at the underlying reasons why we do or don't do the things we are seeking to change and then do the hard work to change them.

For example, if your resolution is to cut out coffee, alcohol, or sugar have you ever asked yourself why you are drinking coffee, alcohol, or eating sugar in the first place?

• Do you drink/eat it because you love it?

• Do you drink/eat it because you are so exhausted in the morning you need it to wake up and get going?

• Do you drink/eat it because you need an escape and break from work that is mundane or meaningless to you?

Consider these follow up questions:

• If you love it, why would you decide to take it out? How can you enjoy it moderately?

• If you drink/eat it for energy, then what in your life is draining you and fatiguing you

• What would you need to resolve and change in order to find the energy that already resides within?

• If you drink/eat it because you need a pick-me-up from uninspiring work, then how can you make your job more meaningful and fulfilling?

If your resolution is to start exercising, have you ever asked yourself why you haven't been doing it in the first place?

• Is it because you hate to exercise?

• Is it because you don't have the time?

• Is it because your exercise goals are too lofty?

Here are some considerations:

• If you are doing it for weight loss, have you resolved the emotional reasons behind why you gained weight in the first place?

• If you don't have the time, have you re-evaluated how you are planning your day and when you can realistically create time for a workout? If you don't change your day and schedule it in, your resolution will fall short.

• If you stopped exercising because you can't reach your intended goals, then have you asked yourself what is a reasonable and doable goal?

• If you hate the gym, then don't resolve to buy a gym membership and workout 5 times a week! Find a form of movement you love to do and do it because you love it, do it for the pleasure and joy it brings you and for putting a smile on your face.

Most importantly, you have to ensure your resolutions are truly in alignment with what you would love to do versus what you feel you should do, have to do, or need to do. When we act from a place of "I'd love to do this", "I choose to do this" and \`\`I would like to do this", we are inspired, dedicated, focused, driven, and inwardly motivated. On the contrary, when we do things because we feel we have to or others are telling us we should, we often fail because they are not truly what we desire. When acting from that place we tend to procrastinate, make excuses, "start again on Monday," need outward motivation, pay others to help us and eventually give up. This is so often what happens with New Year's resolutions. What we intend to do is not truly in alignment with what we would love to do.

So this year really ask yourself, "what would I love to do differently to help me fulfill what is most important to me in my life?" Look at all the benefits of doing that and all the drawbacks if you didn't, and use that as the driving force to make the changes you desire for yourself.

If you would like to explore any of the above questions and need guidance to make resolve-alutions, I am happy to help!

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a fulfilling 2022.

Yours in health & vitality,

Amy

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Amy Bondar is a leading Nutrition expert and Certified Eating Psychology Coach who is passionate about helping her clients achieve maximum health and vitality through personalized nutrition and lifestyle coaching.

Amy Bondar's comprehensive skill-set, two decades of experience and compassionate approach have allowed hundreds of people to achieve the vitality we all desire, and deserve.

The days of generic meal plans, fad diets, yo-yo dieting and simple advice about calories and carbs are long gone. When you work with Amy you will have strategies and learn nutrition principles that are nourishing, doable, sustainable, personalized and that yield results.