I have come to strongly dislike the word “Resolution.”
And because it’s soon to be a new year, I know I’ll be hearing a lot of it.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s important to have GOALS. But that’s just it, I like the “G” word better than the “R” word.
Resolution makes me automatically think of the New Year. And the New Year is a HORRIBLE time to make a Resolution. They (someone smarter than me) said the best time to make a Resolution is in August. Why? No idea. But apparently, people are more successful when they make them in the middle of the year rather than the beginning.
With that in mind, about a month ago I told my trainer that I wanted to deadlift 200lbs.
Recently, he recorded me lifting 145lbs for several reps you can watch here. (Afterwards, I lifted 165lbs but they were only mediocre so we never posted them.)
And then on Christmas Eve, my trainer suggested we should try and “work on those deadlifts.” At first I was all about going home to get ready for some Christmas Eve food…but then I remembered if I was going to hit this goal of 200lbs, I kinda needed to work at it. :)
The picture above is me before hitting 185lbs, a new PR for me! I’m very excited about one day hitting 200lbs. And there WILL be video proof of this when it happens.
I’m also aware that not everyone has strength training goals in mind when they join a gym or begin a new year and new plan to “get in shape.” I respect the fact that people get motivated at the thought of a “new body” in the new year. But I’m so used to seeing people get their hopes up only to fail because of their lack of planning (see below for specifics).
I’m more about being happy with the body you have and making reasonable changes to it, not in order to have a NEW body (because you’re body is aging and getting older everyday, it’s never going to be NEW) but in order to enjoy the one you HAVE! It’s not about what it LOOKS like, it’s about how it FUNCTIONS.
Back to that dreaded “R” word:
EVERY time I hear it I cringe. It brings back memories of working at gyms, speaking with new members about their New Years Resolutions. Always the same speech, every time.
Client: “Yeah I thought since it’s the new year I would try and lose weight…again.”
Me: “Again? Have you been successful in the past?”
Client: “Yes, but as soon as I lost the weight I thought I could eat the way I used to and went back to my old bad habits.” (Didn’t have a maintenance plan)
or
Client: “Yes, but I lost the motivation as soon as my life got busy with other things.” (Didn’t prioritize their health)
or
Client: “I worked out a lot and even trained for a race but never really lost any weight. I don’t know why!” (Didn’t learn any good eating habits)
or
Client: “I lost a ton of weight! I stopped eating carbs and I worked out 5 days a week! But the holiday ruined me and I ate all the foods I shouldn’t have and now I’m back up in weight. I guess the only way I can lose weight is to restrict myself.” (Took part in a diet that was not feasible or conducive to real life)
So here’s some quick advice for you to carry you into 2016:
- Identify your MAIN issue and make a plan to WORK on it – Is it TIME? Is it MEAL PLANNING? Is it COOKING? Is it LACK OF KNOWLEDGE? Is it LOGISTICS? The good news is that there’s a solution to all of these.
- Ask yourself what you have done in the past that worked and if this is something you CAN and DESIRE to do again?
- If you have NEVER been successful at reaching your health and fitness goals, ask yourself why? I think many times we don’t like to admit our failures but we have to in order to learn from them, right?
- What was the barrier? Was it budget? Figure out what you CAN afford. Was it lack of support? There’s ALWAYS someone out there willing to support you, many times it’s a total stranger or even just the person behind the desk at the gym. But I promise you someone out there is supporting you and cheering you on! Was it just plain old procrastination or laziness? Set up some rules for yourself. I wrote about this recently on the faith blog that might be helpful.
Start off 2016 in the same way you’re ending 2015:
Hopeful, not dismayed.
Positive, not discouraged.
Eager, not afraid.
I hope this new year brings about change in you that’s positive, that’s exciting and continues on for years to come!
