Why making a weight loss resolution is a poor decision when you can resolve to gain health instead!

 

Let me be the first to say resolutions are a good thing - when they don't revolve around the calender, clock or scale! New Year's resolutions tend to set us up for failure. I say take these 2 weeks to write down a list of potential resolutions if New year's resolutions are important to you. Everyday write down the things that come to mind and in two weeks go through the list. If eating healthier, or working out come up often that's a good thing. If weight loss comes up a lot then we have some work to do. If you are focused on something like the scale which will change based on what you are wearing, what time of day it is, what time of month it is etc you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Don't do that! You're smarter then that. We need to stop being our own critics; our own worst enemy. 

My biggest problem with weight loss resolutions is that we as grown men & women discuss these things in front of our kids and therefore increase the chances of them developing eating disorders. When you focus more on weight then health you are teaching the next generation to do the same. So let's all vow to watch our words and our thoughts when it comes to health. If you still aren't convinced let me share here that I have "lost" 27 lbs this year. I did it without it ever being a part of my new healthy eating plan. Going vegetarian, non GMO and gluten free all helped me get to healthier leaner me. Doing it without focusing on the weight loss allows it to be an added bonus; an unexpected perk to what eating healthy can do which is far healthier mentally then feeling worthy of praise because of what a scale reads knowing it will go up at some point. We all are so judgemental - if you are like me then you are more critical of yourself then other's could ever be. This is something that can drive you to accomplish amazing feats but can set you up for a life of misery also. If you resolve to eat healthier this year - wonderful. That's something to be proud. It's something you need to share and is perfectly acceptable to talk about with the kids too. 

Explain the benefits of eating healthy and what you hope to accomplish - leave out the topic of weight loss. Chances are they will add it into the conversation for you. And should this happen handle it with care. Say, yes weight loss may be a byproduct of healthier eating, but what's more important is all the ways I am getting healthier that you can't see- my heart is getting healthier, I am lowering my risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer! These are the things that should motivate us towards a healthier diet. Keep it simple and be honest with yourself. Once you accept the world of good that a healthier diet will give you, you may mind the motivation you've been seeking. Resolve to live a life of better health, happiness and with more hope. Resolve to share this with friends and loved ones. Resolve to love yourself a little more day by day. The scale cannot offer these things so why tie your future happiness to an inanimate object? You are better then that! Wishing you and your loved ones a fantastic and refreshing New Year full of courage, grace, and wisdom. Thank you for visiting Between Health & Wealth Avenues - y'all come back now you hear? Peace, Audrey