The New Year is almost a week old and area gyms are busier than
they have been since last January.
Why?
Because for some reason people think the changing of the calendar
will provide the motivation they need to lose weight, exercise more,
spend less money, quit smoking, help others, blah, blah, blah.
If someone is not able to do these things in say, July, what makes
them think changing the last two digits of the year will help them
succeed.
You are still you no matter the date and if you are going to do
something in January, why can't you do it at any other point in the
year?
Losing weight and improving one's self are the most popular
resolutions.
But according to an online survey, a mere eight per cent manage to
keep their New Year's resolution.
That means a whopping 92 per cent did just as poorly this year as
they did last.
I am proud to say I fall into the eight per cent category.
That's right, I actually kept a resolution that I made many years
ago.
In fact, it is one I keep to this very day.
I remember the night well – sort of. I was with a bunch of
friends and we were celebrating the changing of the year with copious
amounts of liquid refreshments.
For some reason, getting plastered was mandatory for ringing in
the new year. At least it was with the people I hung out with.
As the evening wore on and beer-infused bravado grew to the point
of boisterous bellowing, the inevitable question of New Year's
resolutions came up.
Many went the I-need-to-lose-weight route and other such
standard plans. Some said they wanted to drink less – as they
cracked open another bevvy – noting they would start cutting
back tomorrow.
I thought about a resolution I could make and then it hit me. The
grandest resolution of them all.
My resolution on that fateful New Year's eve was to never again
make a New Year's resolution.
And I am happy to say I nailed it. I have kept that resolution
ever since.
I have basically quit drinking. I do enjoy the occasional social
adult recreational beverage, but I no longer drink so much I can't
find my shoes even if I'm wearing them.
I quit smoking many years ago and I am trying to lose weight. OK,
I want to lose weight.
I did make myself a promise I would lose 15 pounds and I am happy
to say I only have 22 more to go.
Um, moving on, none of those achievements were the result of Jan.
1 promises to myself. Hmm, but now that I think about it, had I made
a resolution to gain weight I would have been kicking butt on that
one as well.
I realized many years ago that if I was going to do something to
improve myself, there was no magical day that would give me the
motivation to do it.
The changing of the calendar would not suddenly give me the energy
to do sit ups, push ups and pull ups until I threw up.
Motivation comes from within and no one day will change that.
Actually, that is not entirely true. There is one day that can
change your life: today.
One of my favourite sayings is "You can't start any sooner
than today."
So starting today, I think I will go for a run, or perhaps a walk,
or maybe a stroll is more my speed, after all Rome wasn't built in a
day.
Copyright 2016, Darren Handschuh
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