November 21, 2024

Why Do Resolutions Fail?

january 2014

It’s the New Year which usually brings weight loss goals, new exercise plans and sometimes crazy expectations of what we “should” do to improve our life. I must confess, I started the New Year by jotting down a few things that I was going to do in my personal life and business.  As I started writing them, I realized I lacked motivation and excitement to do any of them.  They were not me.  I was attempting to do what worked for others or what was “expected.”  I knew I would fail miserably.  I see many women doing the same thing to lose weight or improve their health. Their New Year resolutions consist of the latest fad diet, exercise regimen or programs that worked in years past and then wonder, “Why do resolutions fail?”

Once I admitted my “goals” would not work, I spent the morning revisiting the vision of my life I created just a few years back.  A vision that describes who I really am and who I want to be.  The person that brings a smile to my face and motivates me to set realistic goals with confidence that I can succeed.  The same applies with health and fitness resolutions. Trying to do what works for others but is unrealistic for your lifestyle will only leave feelings of failure and defeat.  Creating a healthy vision will dictate the type of diet and exercise plan to follow.

What’s Your Healthy Vision of Yourself?

Have you taken a little time to reflect, and write a health and wellness vision for what it is you want to be, look like and do?  For example,

“At my best level of health I am at peace with my body.  I have energy and balance in every area of my life and I am taking the time to eat healthy and exercise 3 days a week.”  

At YOUR very best, what would you say?

Do Your Goals Support Your Vision?
Often time resolutions fail because they do not really support who a woman is or truly wants to be.  Do the goals you set support that vision of who you want to be.

For example:

  • Do you desire energy…yet attempt to follow a fad diet that will drain your energy level?
  • Are you working to have life balance…yet have committed to new projects and committees for the year?
  • Do you really want to eat healthy…yet have purchased the new diet supplements you read about in the grocery line?
  • Are you hoping to exercise consistently…yet try to follow a new exercise plan that will never fit your lifestyle and schedule?

This year instead of trying a list of things you think you should do, I encourage you to take the time, even mediate and pray, and write  a  vision that describes a realistic, healthy you.  Then take the appropriate steps that support that vision.

Habakkuk 2:2-3, says,

And Jehovah answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tablets, that he may run that readeth it.

Why do resolutions, sometimes, fail?  There is no vision—just things to do.

In Good Health,

Crystal

One Step to a Consistent Healthy Lifestyle

We have been talking about starting an exercise program. However getting started with any new way of eating or exercise program is not the hard part.  It’s consistency, which is evident since 60% of Americans drop out of a program within the first six months.  So how do you stick to it with so many distractions in a busy world? One step to a Consistent Healthy Lifestyle is to create a healthy vision for yourself.

Follow me for one minute.

Think about something in your life that you really wanted and worked hard to get.  It may have been a college degree, savings for a home, promotion in a job, or respectful children.  Did those things just happen?  I would guess not.  You had a vision of what you wanted.  And, because it was very clear, you took the appropriate steps to make it happen.

Why do we think being fit physically, mentally, and spiritually will just happen?

It doesn’t.  We must have a vision of what we want for health.  A personal vision will allow us to:

  • Stop trying to do what everyone else does
  • Know the specific and realistic actions to take
  • Give assurance and peace that the right steps for a healthy diet and exercise are being done

I love the Bible story in Nehemiah 6.

Nehemiah had a vision to build the wall of Jerusalem and nothing would stop him.  He was clear on what needed to be done.  He was not chasing the latest trend or trying to do whatever one else was doing.  He had a vision and nothing could stop him as he clearly states in verse 3.

“I am carrying on a great project and cannot come down.”

 

My Personal Healthy Vision

When I think of myself at my best physically, mentally, and spiritually, this is what I see:

  • I am looking and feeling healthy
  • exercising 4-5 times a week
  • spending daily quiet time with God and my family

To fulfill that vision, which is an ongoing process not a check off, I know there are certain steps I need to take each day. I need to say “no” to certain things and let go of unrealistic expectations.  Having that vision helps me be consistent because:

  • I am motivated to have it which makes it a priority.
  • I want to look and feel healthy, not perfect. Comparing myself to others would only leave me feeling like a failure and giving up.
  • Allows me to realize that I cannot attempt unrealistic exercise regimens at THIS time in my life because it may interfere with family time. I choose exercise programs that work for my family.
  • Reminds me that I have to spend time with God and He will show me the right path to take.

You can be consistent

You can consistently exercise and follow a healthy diet no matter how busy you are at this time of your life. It starts by having a healthy vision of what you want for your life.  Once you have that vision, you can have a clear design with the steps to take in a consistent exercise program and a healthy diet.

To Your Health,

Coach Crystal

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