Why in the world would anyone recommend NOT selecting losing weight as your New Year’s resolution?
After all being overweight is one of America’s biggest problems. In fact, more than 1/3 of all Americans (34.9% or 78.6 million people) are considered obese!!! So of course it makes sense that people want to lose weight. nothing wrong with that, right?
Let me explain…
Think about the numbers above for a second. That’s an amazing number of people who are seriously overweight, isn’t it? And why are so many Americans overweight? Well, just check out the drive through at McDonald’s during lunch hour or dinner time. You’ll be amazed!
And once you gain the weight…well, we all know it’s not easy to get rid of it. It takes a LOT of effort to burn off something like a Big Mac – 47 minutes of lunges to be exact:
Now, let’s get back to New Year’s resolutions…
Setting a goal to lose weight is a little like saying you want to be rich – sounds great, but it doesn’t just happen because you set the goal. If you don’t work harder…or get a better job…or get a raise…or win the lottery…well, then you’ll never be rich. Sorry. Not happening just because YOU want it.
It works the same with losing weight.
If you don’t eat better…or workout more…or change your lifestyle…or all of the above…then you won’t lose the weight.
Having the desire to change is a great quality. Making yourself better is a great goal. Wanting to get healthier by losing weight is a no-brainer. No arguments with any of these.
But as Phil from SelfDevelopmentJourney.com says – “Do you really want to lose weight for the New Year? This is one of the most common resolutions, and also one of the most commonly failed. You need to want it, or you will not be motivated to achieve it. Write down what you really want and be completely honest with yourself.”
If you want to lose weight, you need more than just a end goal or you won’t succeed…
Here Are The 3 Reasons Why You Should NOT Choose Losing Weight As Your New Years Resolution
Reason #1: Statistics show you WON’T be successful.
Losing weight was the #1 most popular New Year’s Resolution in 2015. Yet statistics show that only 8% of people achieve their resolutions!!!
Don’t believe it?
Check out the chart below, the numbers speak for themselves (courtesy of Statistic Brain Research Institute):
Reason #2: A goal without a plan is destined to fail.
“I want to lose 20 pounds this year.” Sounds great. But if you want to lose weight – if you REALLY want to succeed this time – you also must include the steps you are going to take to reach it! Here are some ideas:
- I will lose 20 pounds in 2016, AND…
- I will work out 4 days every week
- I will increase my running mileage from 10 miles to 20 miles a week
- I will eat 1 fruit and 1 veggie every meal
- I will only eat ice cream on Sundays instead of 3 days per week
- I won’t snack between meals
You get the idea, right?
The more specific your goal – AND THE MORE SPECIFIC THE STEPS – the more likely you are to reach your goal.
Reason #3: It’s hard to stay focused on the end for 12 months!
I can hear it now: “But Kris, it’s hard work going to the gym or eating healthy or changing my lifestyle.”
“Why can’t I just eat a little better or walk a little more.”
“I’ll join a gym. Or start walking with friends.”
“I’ll join weight watchers.”
Really? Those statements all sound nice.
But none of them are specific.
Sure, maybe they’ll work for some people. But not for most. You could just skip making a New Year’s resolution entirely. But that’s no fun 🙁
Why Your Gym Absolutely Loves New Year’ Resolutions…
Here’s a sad story, one I saw live & in person a few years ago:
When I was younger I used to work in a gym. And the owner loved January 2. That’s the day when there was a line out the door with people waiting to sign up. And the money for new registrations started piling in.
The gym was absolutely packed!
For a month or two. But by March 1…empty. Just the regulars were left. Great for the owner – he got all those recurring monthly memberships that kept getting charged even when people sat at home.
Great for the regular members, the crowd was gone.
But for all those people who didn’t stick with it. Well, they’ll be setting “losing weight” as their new year’s resolution for 2017 all over again…
Here are a few ways to keep your goal fresh in your mind AND make it meaningful so you have a fighting change to achieve it:
- First, make it specific. Something like “I will lose 20 pounds by going to the gym 3 times a week for the next 52 weeks.”
- Next write it down & keep track. Keep a journal in a notebook, and on the top of each page write down your goal again. You probably don’t need to write it down each day. But how about once a week? Or once a month?
- Keep reminding yourself. Post little sticky notes around the house. On the fridge…in your drawer with your workout clothes…on the mirror in your bedroom…on your scale…send yourself an email…or a text…anywhere you’ll see it!
Even the best, clearest, most motivating goal in the world can get lost over time. So the more you can do to keep it fresh in your mind, the more likely you will be to achieve it! Here’s some great advice from Christal at NutritionistInTheKitch.com:
“Resolve that no matter what change you are trying to make, you will push through the resistance and avoid taking shortcuts or giving up due to discomfort or inconvenience. It is in the “pushing through” process that we become the people we want to see accomplishing the outcome that we often resolve for in the first place!”
Do you agree? Or not?
And what’s your New Year’s resolution?
Let us know in the comments below:
- A fun new way to get into GREAT shape
- NO equipment & NO gym required
- 30 fun & different exercises -- any time & any place!
- A fun new way to get into
GREAT shape - NO equipment & NO gym needed
- 30 fun & different exercises to do any time & any place!
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2 Comments on "3 Reasons Why You Should NOT Choose Losing Weight As Your New Years Resolution"
Totally in agreement! How many times have I resolved to “drink more water” and it never happens! I need to be more specific and state how many glasses I will strive for per day. Thanks!
Ann, thanks for stopping by. It sounds so easy to set a goal, and so hard to achieve it. I know some people who fill up a big jug of water in the morning & their goal each day is to finish it – that way they only have to drink one “glass” of water each day. Not sure that would work for me, but if it works for them, great!
Hope you have a great 2016!