For many, this time of year represents flying into the new year with a list of new year’s resolutions and making those stick. I want to tell you what I’ll be doing and then breaking down what I think makes a new year’s resolution work long term.
I will be doing another Whole30 in January but I’m not doing it because it’s “January”. Notice I said I’m doing “another” Whole30. I completed my first Whole30 back in August of 2018. It’s been five months and I think it’s time to reset. In regards to that program, I’d like to say I loved every minute, but the truth is during the first two weeks I noticed how dependent I was on sugar (when I didn’t actually consume sugar on a day-to-day basis before) and that is because roughly 80% of products in the supermarket have sugar when you think they’re “healthy” (like chicken broth—check your ingredient list).
After week two was complete, however, my cravings were in check and gone! It was amazing. I felt like whistling (if I could actually whistle! He he), the trees were greener, the birds had a more melodious chirp and I was in a full blown Mary Poppins movie! 😆
Seriously though, by the end of the program I felt completely different and brand spankin’ new. HOWEVER (!), I already know what works for “ME” so I know that program in particular was of benefit to me in the first place as a reset. If you are just starting out, or are having problems with discipline, you may need to hone in on the basics first to make your resolutions stick well beyond the new year.
What are “the basics”?
✅ Eating slowly and until you’re 75% full
✅ Adding more green, cruciferous veggies to every meal
✅ Sticking to unprocessed (unboxed/unbagged) food
✅ Adding healthy fats (i.e. avocado, nuts/seeds, olive oil—not vegetable oils)
✅ Drinking more water
✅ Lean towards progression instead of perfection
✅ Taking into consideration that you will eat processed, unhealthy junk once in a while and that’s okay too
✅ Going to bed a 1-hour earlier than usual
✅ Keeping in mind you can reset anytime of the year, not just on New Year’s Day
Remember you’ve done the crazy, yo-yo dieting chronically before, as well as when the new year rolls around. How’s that worked out for you?
If you’re back to making new year’s resolutions, perhaps it’s worked out as well as expected. Take a look at your usual protocol, approach it conscientiously and consider stopping yourself in your tracks anytime you do or think the following:
❎ Think you’re a lost cause and give up
❎ Obsess over every calorie, macro, and morsel
❎ Have a cookie and think you “screwed up” so you’ll binge the rest of the day instead
❎ Extract yourself from social events because of fear of what that’ll mean for your goal
❎ Bring Tupperware with you to dinner parties (🙋🏻♀️done that)
❎ Think you’re on a deadline
Take one day at a time and breathe. Remember health is a non-ending process, so doing the best you can and figuring out what works best for YOU is key. That usually doesn’t take 8 weeks and you’re done. Figure out what habits you need to work on first, what are the triggers that get you to steering in the opposite direction of where you want to go and change the patterns, and hence the triggers, that are impeding your progress. Always work on “habits” first and the results will follow.
What resolutions are you working towards and what are some habits you want to modify to get you there?
In health,
