Happy New Year!

Are people still saying Happy New Year? I’m late but better late than never, right? This week I just wanted to talk about New Year’s Resolutions and our perception of them. First, I applaud anyone brave enough to make a change, the unknown is difficult but it’s where our greatest joys lie. So, chase that goal and make it your bitch! You deserve it! Acknowledging an inefficiency is the first step to correcting it.

Now on to some real fucking talk. New Year's goals are a sham, a fad people embrace to make themselves feel better. Change doesn’t happen because the calendar flips, every 24 hours the date flips, and every 148 hours the weeks flip, so what gives? I used to be one of those people who planned a resolution and then thought about it for weeks

Let me also elaborate. I draw a strong distinction between a goal and a resolution.  A goal is achievable usually best illustrated by the SMART acronym. First, be Specific as possible. For example, I want to Squat 552lbs this year with no wraps. Next, how are you going to Measure your goal? Are you going to write down your data? Record videos of you squatting 552 lbs. Third, make it Achievable so if you can only squat with 10lbs right now an achievable goal would be something like 50lbs by the end of the year. Fourth be Realistic if you’ve never squatted before then don’t expect to suddenly move 552lbs. The last letter is what is your Timeline? Yes, you want to squat 552lbs this year but the more specific the better, you aren’t likely to add 300lbs to the bar in one month. So, if you’re already squatting 315 lbs., you have to add 237 lbs. to hit your goal of about 19 lbs. a month or 5 lbs. a week. Now it’s easier to digest and tackle.

A resolution on the other hand is simply defined as just deciding or solving, every day we make hundreds of tiny resolutions and don’t think twice about them. What shoes am I going to wear? Which way am I taking to work today?

I encourage everyone to have a New Year goal to achieve each and every year. I mean how else will you realize and reward yourself for making progress?

I hope you can now see why New Year’s Goals are a fad. If and when you decide change is necessary, don’t you owe it to yourself to chase it TODAY why wait any longer? Change doesn’t have to be drastic either small incremental differences can make a WORLD of a difference. To lose weight, try cutting out soft drinks or limiting them to one every other day. Or fast for two days a week and abstain from eating from 9:00pm until noon the next day. If you want to exercise more set an alarm to start doing bodyweight exercises before bed for 15 minutes, no equipment is needed all you have to do is show up. Show up for yourself in life and don’t wait to be your best self.