Re-Shaping Our 2018 Goals
Resolution From What?
Don’t get me wrong, it is part of my job to invest, support and challenge the progress and development of others through fitness. I strongly agree with continually setting goals (all types!) and challenging yourself and each other to be better every day. However, I’m not fond of the New Year ‘holiday’ driven resolutions focusing us to believe we must take charge of our fitness (movement) and nutrition (food) this one time of the year! It’s highlighted through adds on web browsers, social media platforms, TV commercials and even on the old school radio. The messaging is overwhelming, and if you don’t jump, you might miss the next chance to get fit, so why are you reading this… hurry! Where is this support and energy to make movement and food a priority the other 11 months of the year? And why do we only market it as something that costs money, we can’t do by ourselves, and we need some extravagant gym setting to do it in?
How To Get Fit?
I don’t know. Seriously, I can’t tell you how. What does being fit even mean? You have to decide that for yourself and it doesn’t have to be complicated, restrictive, boring, inconvenient and the list goes on and on. It can actually be kind of fun if you take the chance, here is what I recommend to get started exploring for yourself.
1. Enjoy It
This is my #1. Nothing is going to work if you don’t truly look forward to giving it a try everyday AND being ok with yourself when skipping it from time to time. You might not know what you like yet, that is ok, and actually kind of exciting! Start trying new things and even bring a friend along on your exploration. If you don’t like it, try something else!
2. Just Move
If you asked me for a list of ways to move your body that are going to make you feel good and “get fit”, as long as you are moving they’re all on the approval list. (I promise, it’s not complicated.)
3. Food
If you know what you are cooking, you know what you are putting into your body. There are great (and free) resources out there to help. My BEST FRIEND since third grade is a registered dietician who shares tips on her blog and keeps it simple: https://linktr.ee/leannerayrdn. She believes in cooking your own food and shares hints on how to spice up your cooking game.
4. The Mind
Personally, from practicing the habits above, the best bonus I receive is the peace of mind it brings. I also feel a decrease in stress, increase in energy, happiness and get to turn on my inner competitiveness to push through during discomfort because I know it’s making me stronger and building some grit, and I like it.
5. Expectations
I know this article can seem like, “it is so easy,” and I understand that is not the case for any of us. Every day we are faced with juggling the responsibility of taking care of ourselves that includes our health, but also the joy of straight up adult-ing (it’s not easy). The reality? Most of us have too high expectations of ourselves and are our own hardest critics. It is never too early, too late or really a wrong way to go about finding your own healthy. So you set the expectations and ask yourself, where does the importance of your health fall for you?
Our 2018 Goals
If this January is your time, then go for it; I’m here to support you! But, I challenge you to not look at what you will do differently starting January 1st, but maybe make the 1st of every month a chance to check-in with your health, fitness, nutrition, self-care or whatever you want to call it. Because every day is an opportunity to live your best self and there are a lot of people out there rooting for you.
Jessica Lynn Graham
One of my 2017 goals: to convince by BFF's to fly out to Oregon and complete a 15 mi trail race for my 30th birthday. Check!