Most resolutions fail simply because we focus on the result and not on the process. Let's say you've gained five kilos over the last two years. It’s normal to resolve to lose those five kilos this year. But, don’t do what. That's not the goal because that's not the problem. Let me explain.
The actual problem is that you did things in your life over the last two years that caused the five kilo weight gain. Assuming you've gained mostly fat, these 'things' typically revolve around bad lifestyle choices - lack of activity, much sugar, stress, etc. These ‘things that you did’ resulted in a five kilo weight gain. So, in reality, the weight gain is simply a symptom of the actual problem. And if the actual problem is not fixed, irrespective of how hard you work, the symptoms will keep coming back.
So resolve to fix the problem and not just the symptom. How do you do that? By focussing on the effort and not the result. By changing the 'things you do’.
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If your goals are fitness, fat loss or health based, here are 5 resolutions that will definitely help you achieve your goals by fixing the actual problem.
1. Train at least 150 times this year.
A lot of us exercise. Some of us really enjoy working out too. But most of us are not consistent and that's the problem. Make it a point to workout 150 times this year. That is, 3 days a week or every other day. You may not work super hard every training day and that doesn't matter. Show up and do what you can, but do it 150 times this year.
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2. Eat dessert not more than 75 times this year.
Everyone likes sugar. But some of us eat too much of us while the rest of us have some form of control. In 2017, eat dessert 75 times or lesser. That is once every week + an extra 23 for festivals, birthdays and other celebrations. As long as you eat reasonable quantities, this indulgence (when clubbed with the other points here) will not hurt your progress.
3. Sleep 50 hours a week.
Sleep is that thing that everyone enjoys but no one has time for. Make time for it. You know you love it and you know it's important. If you can't get 7 hours everyday, work towards getting in 50 hours every week.
4. Don't lose your cool.
Staying calm is a very understated tool for health. Stressors are everywhere and there isn't really much we can do about it. But how we react to those stressors determines how it affects us and the people around us. If we can keep calm and tackle the stressor, we'll all be in a much better place - figuratively and literally.
5. Take a break at least once a quarter.
Like sleep, vacations are also one of those things that we all love but don't make time for. What sleep does for you on a daily basis is what vacations do for you on a larger scale - they refresh, re-energise and reboot the system called ‘you’. As contradictory as it sounds, the more consistent we are with these breaks, the healthier, fitter and more productive we'll actually be.