New Year, Same You—And That’s OK
We have heard it before, “New Year, new you!” Even as a nutrition professional, I have been guilty of saying that in the past. It has always been thought that with a new year, we are given a fresh opportunity to make any changes we want to see in our lives. That’s fine and dandy in theory, but no one has to make any changes if they don’t need or want to. And that’s important … especially when it comes to the idea that we need to lose weight at the beginning of every year.
The unnecessary pressure that we place on ourselves to make “changes” every new year can actually cause undue stress on our minds and our bodies. This stress means we usually don’t stick to the changes we are so adamant about implementing on January 1 for very long. Fluctuating our body weight significantly—that is, losing weight and then gaining it back time and time again, is actually worse for our bodies than maintaining a little extra weight all of the time. We also shame ourselves for not sticking to the unrealistic regimen we set for ourselves, which can lead to depression and demotivation.
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Getting back to your normal eating patterns after the holiday season (of eating) is likely a more attainable goal than changing your entire diet drastically overnight. Regardless of your body weight, choosing more nutrient-dense foods (such as fruits and vegetables) and exercising regularly in your own way is always a goal worth reaching for, in your own time. With nutrition, one thing is definitely tried and true—slow and steady results in longer and more significant outcomes than hurrying to get to the finish line.
With the year that 2020 brought us, many of us have experienced unimaginable levels of stress and depression. It’s important to recognize how those feelings can impact our lifestyle choices and not place blame on ourselves for coping any way we choose to. Forgiveness is key—so that when you are ready, you can move on to accomplishing whatever lifestyle goals you may have. Knowing things are unlikely to radically change until well into 2021, keep this in mind as our society and the media tell us differently. The new year will bring large, advertising campaigns for gyms and diet programs; these have historically been a source of self-sabotage and shame for most people. Don’t fall victim to these ploys. Remember that the most important aspect of beauty and health is mental and emotional wellness. Without those core foundations, the changes we want to make for ourselves will never come to fruition.
Adopting a different lifestyle than we’re used to is already a lot of work. There is no need to put extra pressure on ourselves to accomplish our goals just because the year changed. The only construct you need to live by is one of your own rules, where you reach your personal goals slowly over time and limit the expectations set on yourself by media and society. Pick one or two things you want to reach, and set a realistic time span. Set small goals to get there. Each small goal reached will feel like a success, which will motivate you to keep going. Whether your goal is to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables every day or simply go for a walk after dinner several nights per week, your goal is yours to own. Remember that as we venture into 2021—you don’t need to become a new you to be happy or successful. You are beautiful and fabulous just the way you are!
