In years past, I anxiously anticipated the stroke of midnight to put down the "naughty" foods, and pick up a gym membership. NOT this year! I will not be joining ANY known Diet Organizations that take my hard-earned money. BUT I will be buying an unlimited Yoga Pass at my new favorite local yoga center; Shanti Yoga. I will not beat myself up for not strictly adhering to a food plan which leaves me feeling deprived or as if I can't be social. I WILL forgive my humanness, and focus on what I can do as well as what I AM doing to be healthy.
I will not be stepping on a scale every week to see if I am "successful". Rather, I will measure my success by how I'm feeling, how my clothes are fitting, and by what I am doing every day. I will allow myself a visit to the scale once a month - and if I can't do that without berating myself for what the number says, I'll reconsider it all together.
I will not set goals that leave me feeling defeated by February; no promises to get to the gym 6 days a week for me. I will promise myself to be more active this year. I will move my body more by cleaning the house, walking instead of driving when I can, dancing around my living room, choosing to be active on my days off - and looking for any opportunity to take one more step.(No circling ANY parking lots for the closest space here!!! Yes, even when it's raining...)
I will not wait until I lose X amount of pounds before I... (insert any number of things you feel you should deny yourself because you are ashamed of how you look, or because you are afraid of how others will see you) I will remember that life is short and now matter how fat I am, I DESERVE to LIVE life RIGHT NOW. My weight is not who I am, it is simply one of many struggles I face, it only dictates my life when I buy into the popular notion that it should.
I will not set a goal of a certain number I'd like to see on the scale by a certain date. I will say that I want to weigh less, wear a smaller size in clothing, and I really don't want to fly(I took the airplane home for Christmas) at this size again. I want to be proud of who I am, and how I treat myself, and I want to have more options. Healthy people have more options; in choice of clothing, friends, partners(I've got a good one), career, social activities, etc. I don't want to spend this year feeling alone, disappointed, ashamed, or unworthy of all life has to offer.
I will not compare my insides to other people's outsides. For example, I know I am smart, funny, kind, and creative - being thin does not equal any of those things. I will not assume that someone who looks good on the outside, has what I want on the inside. Often times, it's just the opposite. Regardless, I will strive to find compassion for people - no matter their appearance.
Some of you may be inspired to write your Resolutions for 2012, and stop yourself when you remember how you fell short the past 5 years. SO WHAT? Don't let the cynicism get you down. If people criticize your efforts, just write them down for yourself. If you don't get them done today, do them tomorrow - or in February. Don't give up a chance to hope for something different, or something better for your life and your health. Sometimes, hope is all you've got to cling to - I feel sorry for those who have lost that. You can be who you want; the choice is yours in every New Year, every new month, week, day, and every minute. Cheers to a Healthy Peace-filled 2012!!! You believe in my potential, and I'll believe in yours.
