This time of year we are inundated with “New Year, New You” articles enticing us with the fantasy that we can accomplish all of the goals we didn’t accomplish last year simply because it’s January again. But I’ve lived through too many Januarys to believe that the New Year’s Eve confetti included magic fairy dust that’s going to make me hate brownies, develop a disdain for Tostitos, and become as organized as those gorgeous planners promise I can be. Instead of hoping for a “new me” why not renew your vows to yourself and recommit to a healthy (enough) lifestyle?
I do like the promise of the new year and the motivation that comes from setting new goals (or renewing my commitment to old ones), but as Steena reminded me in her 2015 Wrap Up, it won’t be a “new me” that is chasing after them. Once I accept that I won’t be that much different this year than I was last year, I can focus on figuring out how the me that I am can reach the goals that I didn’t quite reach last year.
Take my work habits, for example. For years I’ve been setting a goal to move more at work, and while I’ve gotten better, I still end up sitting for hours at a time day in and day out. I’m not giving up on that goal, but I’m renewing my vows to myself and taking a different approach–getting a full-sized stand up desk so I can at least stand while I get my work done.
Not my office, but this may become my desk.
Picture blurred to protect confidentiality of those papers I forgot to move. 😉
Of course, there’s always room to be renewing my vows of healthy eating this time of year. I chose to indulge in Christmas cookies over the holidays, but now I am ready to recommit to making healthier choices so I can get reacquainted with my skinny jeans. Instead of trying to go on a crash diet, I’m going to be participating in Laura’s 21 Day Reset (read more about that and get a discount code for yourself here) as a more sensible approach to getting back on track.
I also need to renew my vow to get up with my alarm. I didn’t take much time off over the holidays, but my husband did, so I got used to getting up later since I didn’t have to beat him to bathroom or walk the dog before I left for work. Now that he’s back at work–and traffic is back to its usual levels–I need to get back to getting up on time so I can fit in a full workout, eat a healthy breakfast, pack a healthy lunch, and beat the traffic into the city.
[Tweet “Renewing my healthy vows #motivation #fitfluential #sweatpink”]
What vows do you need to renew?
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ahhhh will I ever recommit??
Again.
Here.
I need and give lip service to WANTING to renew with my YOGA.
I know a program you can do at home for a mere $150 😉
I wish the New Year New You thing would go away. Talk about over used.
I do think the New Year is a great time to refocus though. What ever motivates you, right?
I do think it’s good to refocus after the holidays, and having goals gives you something to focus on during the cold, dark days of January. 😉
I really didn’t indulge much over the holidays, but I do have goals that include moving more (I’ve taken to standing up more often to check email, FB, etc. — even before the new year) and losing those last pesky pounds.
I already joined the 21 Day Reset!
I love this!
Omg…the daily fight with the alarm…the struggle is REAL! I did take off the Christmas break with the kids and I am having a really hard time getting back on track to getting up early to get my workout in!
So excited for the RESET!
Have a good week!
I think we all have such high expectations for the new year (at least I do) and when reality sets in, there’s the let down…I never learn, do I?
There’s something to be said for trying again anyway, right? 😉
Love this! I am certainly in renewal mode myself after the last few weeks. Of traveling and eating out
A great twist on starting over and a great reminder that ultimately we make these vows because we care about ourselves. Also I really need to move more at work! 😉
The daily fight with the alarm clock….such a struggle!! I love the concept of a walk up desk in your office! I sit for hours at end too…so bad!
It has made a HUGE difference so far. And even though I’m standing all day I have more energy at the end of the day.
I think instead of the “new year, new you” idea, I like “new year, better you” – there’s plenty that I like about myself, but definitely some things I could do better! So I’ll be renewing my vows to be the best me I can be!
That’s a great twist on the slogan. I do think most of us would like to better something about ourselves.
I think expecting a brand new you in the new year always leads to disappointment. But your goals of making small changes for improvement are manageable and great .
This is a great way to look at the new year! I definitely want to renew my vow to eat healthier, so I’m looking forward to being part of the reset too!
I need to renew my vows with consistency. Last year I was way too loose with my goals and my routines.
Consistency can be a challenge, but if you develop new routines and habits then it becomes second nature. The trick is ditching bad habits in the process!
I love your perspective. We are still the same old us. Flipping a page doesn’t change anything. But, the same old us can strive to improve anything we choose. My sister swears by her stand up desk.
I like the idea of renewing my vows/goals. My goals haven’t changed much since last year (although I did finish a couple major projects), but it’s going to take one or more years to do what I want to do. Plus I’m not the kind of person to wait for New Year’s Day to set a goal. Or try to better myself. Thanks for the good thought.
It’s so true that many goals take more than a year to achieve, even if you are diligent about pursuing them. Plus, there’s nothing wrong with taking a slow and steady approach.
I like how renew sounds! So many people focus on totally starting over but I like who I became in 2015 and I just want to continue building on that.
I hear you about needing to get up with the alarm. I’m horrible when it comes to pushing the snooze button. Its become too much a part of my daily routine.
Great goals for the new year.
I stayed pretty consistent through the holidays, but I do need to renew my enthusiasm for getting up and out. I’m doing it, but I’m internally complaining and being miserable about it, and that has to change.
At least you can fake it till you make it with a positive attitude. 😉
Recommitting is a great strategy! I like how you say not the new you, but the current you moving forward 😉 Go YOU!! 😉
I saw two co-workers yesterday with new years resolution injuries! YIKES! I like the idea of always improving the regular me. That alarm is brutal, luckily my schedule and the hubby’s did not change much over the holidays so there is no alarm battle for me 🙂 Cheers! to 2016
I love the New year – everything new. We’re on to a fresh start!
Love this…and oh my goodness yes…I need to renew my vows to my 6:00 am alarm clock. I think I’ve hit the snooze every day for the last few weeks!
Great post! I feel like I’ve been wildly unproductive for the past couple weeks–I definitely need to renew my vows of healthier eating + getting up with my alarm (and not pressing the snooze button 32490283 times…)!
Ugh, I hate “new year, new you.” You’re not magically a new person just because the calendar flipped! But you can certainly use the new year to become a better person, and that’s what I strive for.
I do a lot of my blogging standing at my basement bar – it’s the perfect height! Hope you enjoy yours.
Thanks for linking up!
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