Yep.. you read it right... don't do it... don't promise yourself you'll lose 5 stone by Paddys Day... don't pressure yourself by telling everyone you're going to the gym 5 times a week... You're giving up bread for the year... no... just no...
Every year people make resolutions and end up feeling like crap when they can't keep up with them... if you already go to the gym 5 times a week and did so before Christmas then it's some thing you can already do... you don't need to put pressure on yourself because its a New Year... You can re-evaluate ... make healthier choices of course, but Easter will come with all the chocolate eggs, Bank Holidays will be here bringing BBQs and picnics outside (I'm optimist about the weather aren't I?!?!), Pancake Tuesday will arrive, with all the Nutella and before you know it we'll be back at Summer holidays and facing Christmas again, I'm not wishing my life away but life is too short... and life is to be lived... and making resolutions that aren't realistic just adds to the misery of the January blues... So here's my thinking... make a plan not a resolution...
Promise yourself one thing and one thing only ... to be a better version of you... to be less stressed, feed your body better and be happy with who you are... these aren't resolutions... they're things you should be trying to do every day of the year... these are things your need to do everyday to be a better, happier and calmer person...
Life will throw things at us in 2015... family get poorly, some of us will lose people we love, work will get on top of us... we'll struggle with money and not having enough time to do things, we'll feel down at certain times of the year and be miserable, just like every year ... those are the times that can make you lose focus on being healthier... you don't have the time or energy to treat yourself well, and you put yourself last on the list... we rush to get everything done for everyone else and our bodies suffer because of it... so this year instead of making a 'resolution' and then live in fear of breaking it and feeling lost when you realise you can't keep it up along with everything else... make a pact with yourself to look after you... and when you're at your best... everyone else benefits! A happier you.. means a happier person to be around and kicking yourself because you didn't make the gym 5 times doesn't help any one... throw in a little walk and get over yourself... you're still being kinder to you, and your family and friends will reap the benefits...
Year after year I made resolutions, joined gyms, quit being any fun, only to fall at the first or second hurdle into a pancake in February! Then hating myself for being such a loser.. I was horrible and mean to myself... 'I'm useless'... 'I'm always going to be a failure'... 'what was the point, when I can't even last a month?!' and the cycle would continue...
It's not selfish to take time to look after yourself... to treat yourself... you become a nicer person to be around... so take your 10 mins to breathe, paint your nails or make that hair appointment... when you're so busy trying to take care of everyone else you can forget about you... So just try this mantra for the year ...
Have wonderful New Year Celebrations wherever you may be...
It's my favourite holiday of the year!!!
and a sincere thank you to everyone who has been on here, reading, following,
supporting and kicking my butt when I needed it! Thanks to all who did the challenges...
I hope everyone enjoyed them as much as I did...
and here's to a continued success for all in a healthier and happier 2015!
