To Resolve or Not to Resolve

This time of year, the conversations usually start something like this:
"So, have you made any New Year's resolutions?"
To which I usually answer: "No, I don't resolve."
This usually gets some response along these lines: "There's nothing you need to change about your life?"
To which I reply, "I don't resolve under guilt from over-doing it. I have made 12 quality decisions regarding my daily life. Each day, each week, even in July and December, I manage these decisions. If I'm getting off-track on one, I don't wait until January 1 to make a correction."

And thus, I don't make New Year's resolutions.

But, what if you've never made quality lifestyle decisions and you recognize that you need to make a change? There is no time like the present to begin lifestyle changes and over the next month, I'm going to help you on this process. Self-government is the basic form of leadership. If we govern ourselves well, then maybe we have a shot at being a good leader for our workmates, employees, children, spouse.

Here are some basics for lifestyle changes:
1. Realize you are working with a long time-line. If you expect to turn around your weight in 2 weeks, you are sadly mistaken. Adjust your time-line and set goals reasonably.
2. Make a plan, consulting experts if necessary. Continuing the lose weight theme, talk to your doctor or a personal trainer to establish some reasonable goals with time points to achieve them. Then work with that person to get a plan for how that will be accomplished.
3. Get some accountability from someone you trust and will listen to. This is essential. Without accountability, you will be the all-too-familiar February 15th gym dropout.
4. Celebrate milestones when they are achieved - but appropriately. A Krispy Kreme donut might not be the best method of celebrating a weight loss milestone!
5. Keep encouraged by networking with others trying to make the same lifestyle change as you. For weight loss, I recommend BiggestLoser.com or find a Facebook or LinkedIn forum for online support.
6. Get creative in implementing your plan. Watch 24 while you work out. Read the newspaper in the morning with a healthy bowl of oatmeal. The more you can tie one activity you already do to your new habit you are seeking to cultivate, the better success you will have.
7. Be ready to declare a victory in the goal achievement, but don't return to past habits. Keep those new healthy habits!

It takes 6 weeks to break a bad habit or to form a new good one. Be ready for battle and get support. Read more in the next few weeks about what those 12 lifestyle decisions were and where I got my inspiration for them! Oh, and Happy New Year!

Find ILDI on the web!
www.intleader.org