5 New Year’s Resolutions You Should NOT Make

It’s that time of year again where we look back at the previous year and take an inventory as we look ahead and decide what changes we want to make. It’s that time where we make our resolutions for the coming year.

I will not do it!

5 New Year’s Resolutions I WILL NOT be making…

1. Vowing to lose weight…again. We all know the dance—after this holiday season I am going to crack down and lose that extra [fill in your number] pounds. I mean it! I am really going to do it. After I eat this last piece of apple pie alamode. It must have the vanilla ice cream on top because who wants to eat apple pie without the ice cream? Not me! But then I really mean it, I’m going on a diet.
2. Exercise more. This is the time of year where the gym gets packed. It’s so packed you find yourself waiting in line more than working out on some days. It’s time to get fit and I will wait in line if I have to, by golly, I am going to wipe down those sweaty machines, walk around those people having awkward conversations, and wait in line to use the weights and machines. I am doing it! This year I am going to get that bathing suit ready body for the summer.
3. Spending more time with family and friends. Looking back sometimes we can see that our priorities have been out of order. As we look at our calendar we see that family and friends haven’t gotten their proper place. I am going to spend more time with my family and friends!
4. Work less and play more. Most of us have to work, right? But there’s a difference between working and being consumed with work. “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” therefore, I will find a balance and play more.
5. Be more spiritual. I need to pray more and go to church more and read my Bible more.

I will not be making the above resolutions.

Instead, what works is forming habits. A habit is something we do because it’s part of our DNA, it’s part of who we are, it’s a routine we regularly follow.

5 Habits for Overall Good Health and Wellbeing…

1. Take care of your body. There’s nothing wrong with shedding a few pounds—if we need to. I saw a post from an old friend who was assessing her past year and challenges she faced…losing her business, health issues, and then she said “WORST OF ALL was getting fat.” I get it, when we don’t feel good about our bodies it can feel like THE WORST thing ever. I’ve made those vows in the past to lose weight and it doesn’t work. But what does work is healthy habits that I’ve formed. Such as, eating more vegetables. But I don’t like vegetables, you say? Experiment with different recipes until you find ones that work. It’s fun and, more importantly, healthy. When you look at your plate make sure there’s veggies on it and don’t forget about the fruit. Once you fill up on these healthy choices there’s less room for the “bad stuff.” And what about the “bad stuff”? Go ahead and indulge now and then—just a little. When we tell ourselves “we can never have” something it makes us want it more. I can have it if I want to but I choose not to, or I choose to have it. Either way, it’s okay. The goal is to have healthy habits and keep doing them every day, one day at a time. Like drinking enough water, eating more veggies and fruits, not overeating, watch sugars, and making the healthiest choices possible. Once these are a habit the pounds will fall off.
2. Move your body. When we form the habit of moving more it will stick. Starting an exercise routine which is grueling, painful, and unpleasant will rarely stick. Instead find something you enjoy, and then, make it a habit. When my feet hit the ground in the morning I put on my workout clothes and tennis shoes because I already know before I go to bed at night that in the morning I’m hitting my home gym. “Home gym” sounds fancy—to clarify: it’s weights, a TV with DVDs of Tony Horton or some Beachbody routine, yoga mat, and exercise ball in the garage with a rubber floor padding so as not to kill oneself on the hard garage floor. Not fancy but it gets the job done. I plan on playing with my grandkids as long as I can and being in the habit of moving my body helps to accomplish this goal.
3. Loving family and friends. When you love someone you have them on your calendar as a priority. It’s a habit. It’s part of your day-to-day. It’s what you do, no matter what. Missing someone? Call them. Love someone? Tell them. You haven’t seen a loved one in days? Get in your car and go see them. Anytime I need a charge I hop in my car and head to see the grandkids—with permission of course. Love shows on your calendar. Make love a habit.
4. Have fun. Life can become dull. One habit I want to move forward with is to do things that scare me. Now let me explain, I’m not talking about jumping off buildings or racing my car down the freeway—I’m talking about letting myself feel uncomfortable. I’m talking about stepping out of my comfort zone and doing things that are a bit scary, things that get my heart racing. It can be simple actually, like trying something new or going to a place I’ve never been or making a new friend. Or, for me, saying yes to that speaking gig when it scares me to put myself out there when I’d rather stay home and be safe and warm eating popcorn rather than put myself in a position where I could totally bomb. Yeah, that kind of scary.
5. Build your relationship with God. Sounds intimidating doesn’t it? Build. Your. Relationship. With. God. Why would the Almighty God want to work on a relationship with me? With little ole me? The One always waiting for us is God. Always. He is always there. It’s mindboggling really. God loves us and is always there for us waiting for us to turn our lives over to Him. And once we do that God will take our lives and make them something more beautiful than we ever imagined. He will give us purpose and meaning. Each morning before I get out of bed I reach for my Bible on my nightstand and read it. Sometimes my time reading is really short and sometimes it’s really long, but it’s my daily habit. I reach for God daily. Then I talk with my Aba Father about whatever is on my heart. And He listens! To little ole me. Reaching for my Bible and praying throughout the day is a habit. And church? Well, you’ll find me there every week, not because I’m super spiritual, but because there are people there who I love, starting with Jesus. It’s a habit.

Thank you for visiting LuSays. For more from Lucille Williams check out her books: From Me to We, The Intimacy You Crave, The Impossible Kid.  And on preorder Turtle Finds His Talent for ages 2-6.