New Year, New You?

I wanted to wait a little while before I posted about the New Year. Its such a great time to reflect on the past year and also make some commitments for the current year. But how often do our commitments maintain?

I recently read a New York Times article that said that by the end of January in past years, a third of people who made New Years resolutions broke them and by July, more than half have lapsed. I wanted to shed some light on a little bit of my experience and to see if I can share some wisdom that just might help you make and keep some commitments for a happy and healthy 2013.

Two years ago, I made the commitment that the first three days of every month of 2011 I was only going to eat blended or juiced foods. I thought it would be a great way to jump start each month and to clear my mind on a long term basis. It started out really well, especially because Ian was doing this with me. We started the year off with some blended green soup and some juice and we felt great. I think that it was after March that Ian stopped doing the liquids and moved on. So I was without a partner. I think I became a little righteous in my thoughts because I continued on our commitment with this "Im better than you" kind of attitude. After two more months of keeping my commitment, I started to resent it. The end of the month would come and I would hate the thought of having the eat something blended. And then all of the other challenges came into play: a friends birthday dinner, a trip to visit my family and so on. My inspiring commitment became my worst nightmare! No longer energizing but a total drag! I stopped doing the juicing. Not because I physically couldn't do it, but because I thought it would be healthier for my mental state of mind! And then it was over. How many of you can relate? How many times have you committed to go to the gym everyday and then you start despising the gym? Then you feel like you owe it to yourself to stop going because you don't want to make yourself suffer. Here are a few tips that I think might help you maintain your goals this year:

1. Get Real. So many of us commit to things that are unrealistic. For example, a few days ago, someone asked me if I wanted to sign up for a half-marathon in April. I have yet to run that far in my life, but it sounded like a great challenge. I took a look at what training for a half marathon looks like and realized that with what I have going on in the next few months, I was not going to be able to put in that time. Right now. So I said no, but I am going to train for a 10K that is coming up. That is more realistic of a goal for me and I am excited to take that on. A commitment should absolutely be a reach and out of your comfort zone, but if it is impossible for your life right now it is just not going to happen.

2. Systemize. So say your commitment is to go gluten-free this year. What things do you need to do so you can actually achieve that? Perhaps you need to go to the grocery store and get some gluten free snacks (ahem!) to have at home, in your car and at work. Perhaps you need to sit down for 20 minutes and look up some great gluten-free recipes that you can make for yourself (or your family) so that you are not in a pinch. It is in those moments of "what do I do?!" that we will go back to old habits and you must be prepared. I would also like to use the example of exercise. Many of us commit to go to the gym 5 days a week. But what happens if something out of the blue happens? Like your child needs a ride home from school during gym time? Or if you feel extremely tired one day? Create a backup plan and even a backup plan to that! Maybe if you cant make it to the gym, you will do an exercise class that you can find online (there are many you can stream on netflix and hulu!) in your home or you commit to going for a 30 min walk. Anything that doesn't take you out of your commitment.

3. Get Inspired. Why is it that you want to workout more? Or cut out processed sugar? Is it for your health? Your mental well being? What does your health give you? A longer life? More energy to play with your children? A more active social life? What is it that is INSPIRING about your commitment?? That is what you need to remind yourself of. I promise that you will feel energized by what you are doing. You will be on fire at the gym because you are doing it for you! And for your family and your friends! Understand that you are WORTH it. It will be much harder for you to develop an attitude (like I did) and resent your commitment. Believe me, keeping a commitment because you feel better than another person is NOT inspiring!! What is it that inspires you about what you are doing?

4. Shout It From The Rooftops!! The more people that you get on board with your commitment, the more you have to be accountable for. Share your commitment on facebook, twitter, etc. Bring it up in as many conversations as you can. Get your household on board. Put a post-it on your computer, change the background of your phone or computer to remind you of why you are doing this. The more the message is around the more you will make a new habit. This may be scary. Once you tell someone, that means you have to do it. Honestly it IS a little scary, but so are all unchartered waters that lead to beautiful beaches! The beautiful beach is you, feeling great and taking on new, healthy habits.

5. Get Over Your Brain. Our brains are programmed to do what we are used to doing. This makes sense. What we know to do is safe and easy. But a safe and easy life does not always lead to a miraculous and amazing life.  So we need to work with this brain that is always going to try and convince us to do otherwise no matter what. Keep this understanding with you as you begin to change your habits. Understand that your brain is going to want to reach for that sugar cookie or to go home right after work or to gossip like it normally does. Your brain will come up with EVERY excuse on why you shouldn't make a change. But it is YOU that needs to move past it. If you are able to do this successfully for an extended amount of time (40 days or more). Soon your brain will start to expect your new habits and they will become programmed. Having a sense of what your brain wants and what you want (and that they are different things) will help you through this process.

6. Acknowledge Yourself. For everyday that you are successful, acknowledge yourself in some way. Maybe its taking a bath before you go to bed, giving yourself 5-10 minutes to meditate on your own, having a cup of tea on the couch with a blanket, reading a book. Whatever it is, acknowledge yourself for your effort and for taking something on that is greater than yourself. Giving yourself the gift of self care will help you through as well. If for some reason you miss one day, don't be hard on yourself. Just take a moment, re-commit and acknowledge yourself for the progress you HAVE made.

If you are taking something on I acknowledge you for wanting to change and having the courage to do something about it. Please feel free to share any of your experiences or advice in the comments below and let me know how you are doing!!
Happy New Year,
Samantha

Samantha Abrams is the co-creator and co-owner of Emmy's Organics. She has devoted herself for the past 10 years to wellness in every form of the word. She is still very much on a learning journey! In the past few years, she has jumped into the role of small business owner where she is committed to creating healthy food options for people all over the world as well as maintaining a high functioning organization that is both socially and environmentally conscious. Her 2013 goals are to run a 10K, to take 1-2 ballet classes per week and to set aside a little more time for rest and relaxation.