Rethink the Resolution

About the Author: Deanna Shuler has worked for Memorial Health System for over 21 years. Her educational and professional experience includes athletic training, strength and conditioning, and most recently, becoming a certified health coach. Deanna serves on various committees within the health system and in the community, including the Cancer Committee, Fund Run 5k planning team, Creating Healthy Communities Coalition, among others.

New Year’s resolutions often start out strong, with an emphasis on changing something drastically and immediately, and end with a sharp decline only weeks later if we haven’t seen progress. We tend to associate a lack of results with defeat and failure, which cascades us right back into the unhealthy habits we were trying to change in the first place.

In case no one has told you, you have permission to start over! As many times as you need to, you can try again, and you don’t have to wait for one purely symbolic day in January to begin. Keep in mind, health is not a 30-day challenge, and it’s not something to think about only once a year. True wellness starts with a vision.

 Have you ever considered what it means to be truly healthy? If you woke up tomorrow morning as the healthiest version of yourself, what would that look like? What would it feel like? Would you be strong? Energetic? More spiritual? Better organized? Less stressed?

Many people find it helpful to express the image of their healthiest self as a wellness vision. Painting the picture today of what you want to be “tomorrow” (or next year) can help lead you down the right path and move you towards meeting your goals. A strong vision can serve as a roadmap, guiding you and motivating you into taking actionable steps that support sustained behavior change.

 When creating a wellness vision, it helps to consider your values, desired outcomes, potential barriers, and strengths. What do you already have that works in your favor, and what do you still need to accomplish your goals?

Understanding what has worked well for you in the past can also be helpful. Think of a time in your life when you felt healthy and consider whether you can replicate anything that was happening at that time. For example, did you have a workout buddy that kept you accountable? Was your grocery shopping routine and weekly menu based around healthy, seasonal foods? Drawing on past success and the things you do well can springboard you back into healthy habits.

Once you’ve crafted the vision of your future healthy self, try breaking tasks down into smaller, manageable chunks. Having a weekly “action plan” is a solid approach to setting and reaching short-term goals. Consider framing your short-term goals in such a way that you can decide what you’re going to do, when and how often you’ll do it, how much you’ll do, and when you’ll get started.

Staying consistent with your weekly plan and keeping sight of your ultimate wellness vision will have you mastering next year’s New Year’s resolution way ahead of schedule!

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