As we wish each other a Happy New Year, how often do we hear “what is your New Year’s Resolution?” I’m sure if we did a poll of the top three New Year’s Resolutions we would find: - weight loss, quit smoking and to exercise in top positions. Even more interesting would be to see how many hours these resolutions actually last for. I guess the diet and fitness industry would tell us that by February the number of people attending the gym or diet club will have taken a sharp nose dive!
Of course there are other people who are often older and wiser who have learnt not to make unrealistic resolutions or to make none at all. My father said for years he had long given up making New Years Resolutions, but he certainly did change plenty of things in his life. New Year is a time to start again with a fresh slate, so it often prompts people to contemplate what they want to change in their life. Sadly few people ever contemplate why they make the same New Year’s Resolution year in year out. Either the resolution was unrealistic or the solution was not to be found using that particular method.
If we look deeper at issues we say we want to change, many times we find that only part of us actually wants to change and the other part of us still wants our old ways of being. I work with many clients who have weight issues and they all tell me that they want to lose weight. But when I go deeper I find many people actually want to keep their weight as a form of protection. Each reason is individual but many women use their extra weight as a way of avoiding sexual issues.
There is a constant weight conflict going on usually at a subconscious level. So if you find that year after year you keep making the same resolution, then perhaps it is time to look closer at why you are not able to achieve the goal you keep setting.
Over the years I have found so many people who have been unable to lose weight successfully due to psychological reasons. Online counselling is a great way to explore these issues. When you are sick of making the same New Year’s Resolution maybe you are ready to look at the deeper reasons why you hold onto your extra weight.
Many people actually fear change so cling to the things that are familiar. However the saying “If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got” comes to mind. Change is inevitable in life, something that none of us can avoid no matter how hard we try. Those people who remain serene through life’s inevitable ups and downs usually are able to adapt to change. You can either choose to welcome change looking at all the exciting things that come with it, or you can choose to see the negative side and live with all the fears that path brings.
If you haven’t made your New Year’s Resolution for New Year’s Day you can make it for the Chinese New Year or on any day of the year. Setting small realistic achievable goals is the way to find success. Every successful person started with one small step.
