New Year’s Resolutions

By Khalid McLeod, MS, NASM, ACE

A New Year is among us and depending on how many of these new years one has lived, one thing should stay imminent with all New Years. What are my resolutions, and how does my physical health fit into my aspiring plans for the New Year? According to the U.S. News & World Report, 80 percent of all New Year’s resolutions fail by February. Why is that so? Where do I fit into this paradox? How will I not let my health be compromised?

Fitness professionals that have significant history in the industry have witnessed how many things have stayed the same, while other things have remained indifferent. These same fitness professionals will tell you that your resolutions should be specific but clear; measurable while being realistic; and attainable with time-conscience goals attributing to each accolade accomplished throughout the year.

Following this same paradigm, the New York Times has listed their top 10 resolutions for 2020, and it all sounds familiar. Without boring you with all the specific details here are five of the top 10 resolutions to delve into a deeper discussion of what is needed to fulfill them. They are as follows: #1) Eat healthier, #2) Be more consistent with exercise, #3) Lose and maintain a healthier weight, #4) Save more and spend less, and, #5) Learn a new skill.

Of this abbreviated list, all five resolutions have a psychological component that is profound, however, resolute in nature.

#1) We all want to eat healthier, but that has to be balanced with satisfying your palate while handling a need as your emotions get swayed daily, dodging through life’s everyday challenges.

#2) How do we become more consistent with exercise if we struggle daily with time management? One suggestion, the world makes a habit of creating time for what we truly value in life.

#3) Losing and maintaining a healthy weight involves careful planning, so if time management is your issue, seek professional advice or someone in your personal life that has been quite successful of maintaining a healthier lifestyle.

#4) Improving your nutritional habits includes not eating out everyday of the week and cessation of alcoholic beverages – saving you money.

#5) Skill is the ability to do something well. Let 2020 be the year that you sharpen your skills to be the very best version of yourself.