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About a month ago, a bunch of brave women—maybe even gorgeous you—resolved to make changes to their health, their energy levels, their shape and size.
If you’re one of the 8%, who is still ‘hanging in there’ with your resolution, excellent work.
Because, today, I’m talking to women like me– those of us who struggle with NY’s resolutions!
Now, I know a lot of terrific health professionals who rave about the ‘resolutions’ process.
“Pick a great big hairy audacious goal,” they say, “take massive action,” they say, “and goooooo for it at all costs.”
Hmmmmm.
In my personal and clinical experience, this kind of lofty thinking can be intimidating.
Sure, there’s always going to be the extraordinary working-full-time mum-of-four who’ll lose 25kgs and run her first marathon by Easter. She’s clearly awesome, but she’s not ‘most of us’.
Statistically, most of us have fallen off the wagon by February.
So, if you’re sitting on the sofa looking for left-over Christmas treats, feeling like you’ve already failed yourself for the year, here’s what to do.
1. Have a big goal but make the daily actions T.I.N.Y.
Make your action steps so small that you cannot help but hit the target. Take the teeny-weeny-est step possible that moves you in the direction of your goal.
So, instead of “resolving” to lose four dress sizes by March” or “I will run for 12kms every day no matter what,” decide to shift one kilo. Just-the-one-kilo.
2. Then, focus on changing one small habit that will lead to shifting that 1kg.
Is it taking that 5-minute walk after dinner five times a week? Perhaps it’s sitting at the table and/or turning off the telly when you eat so you can be more mindful of your food. Pick one small habit to focus on at a time.
Then, when you’ve shifted that kilo, celebrate! Perhaps a haircut, a massage or a new iTunes album—and decide to shift one more kilo.
After that one’s gone—celebrate the win—get a manicure, and commit to shifting one more kilo and changing one more habit.
Before you know it, you’ve dropped a dress size, and you’re positively glowing from all the celebratory self-care!
Now you’re gathering momentum.
And even better than your shrinking silhouette is the growing belief in yourself.
You can do this.
You are doing this!
Easily, patiently, gracefully.
3. Let go of the ‘perfectionist’ in you
Do you see what we’re doing here? We’re rethinking that “all or nothing perfectionist” thinking. That “unless I eat ‘perfectly,’ then I suck” mentality.
We’re rebuilding our trust in ourselves. We’re setting ourselves up for success (rather than guaranteed failure).
Perfection guarantees weight loss failure. It’s a lie. A lie that keeps us stuck, frustrated and unhappy.
Or, as one of my mentors says, “Once you’ve decided to take baby steps towards your dreams, falling off the wagon is immaterial. Because the wagon is moving so slowly, you can just hop right back on!!!”
And keep on keeping on. One day, one breath, one decision at a time.
And, when we check in with each other at the start of next year, you’ll have made your goal a reality.
And, most importantly, you’ll have enjoyed the process.
Love etc, Avril
PS: How’s your NY’s resolution travelling, darling? Changing habits can be challenging – I get that. If you’re ready to become your happy shape and size in 2018, perhaps hypnotherapy is the way forward for you. Why not c’mon over here and let’s start a conversation.
