Happy 2012! We have officially started a new year, which in turn means, a clean slate, right? A fresh start. We forget the hardships and the tough times of the past, and we focus on optimism for the future. And for 90% of people out there, optimism is synonymous with "weight loss." It's like a bad ACT question: realistic is to weight maintenance as optimism is to weight loss. And how do people plan on losing said weight? By joining a gym...MY gym! YOUR gym! OUR gyms! I am by no means a gym rat, but I do make an appearance every once in a while - and lately is been more frequent (insert pat on back and maybe a little slow clap here). For the last few months, my hubby and I have had no trouble finding two treadmills next to one another as we do a little casual jogging side-by-side; we could mosey to the free-weight section and easily find a spot to pump some iron (yupp, it sounded as stupid in writing as it did in my head...oh well). But now, because the calendar reads 01/xx/2012, its a totally different game...and it sucks.
So let's start with my Positive Public Service Announcement - it is awesome that people use the new year as an opportunity to get in shape and make good decisions. There is no better time like the present to become more active, to challenge yourself, to make a life change. I fully condone people improving their lives...even if it means a little bit of a wait at the gym to get on a treadmill. Now, here comes the Realist Perspective - simply stepping foot in the gym is not going to help you lose weight! You have to actually do something to see change! Nothing drives me more crazy than people walking around aimlessly, barely breaking a sweat, and gossiping. There is a good chance they are talking about how losing weight is their New Years Resolution. How about you, instead of talking about losing weight, kick the treadmill up to a 6.0 and you get your heart rate up!?
New Years Resolutions are kind of silly if you ask me. I mean, if you are making bad life choices (eating unhealthy foods, not exercising), maybe you should make the change immediately, and not wait for the first of the year to roll around. If you are miserable with your job, maybe you should start looking for a new one sooner rather than later. In theory, if you are unhappy with some aspect of your life, why wait until the calendar changes to do something about it? And even then, are you truly motivated to make the change? Or are you simply saying you want to do it because everyone else is? If you were not motivated on December 31st to make a life change, why then, does the game change come January 1st?
I am just as guilty of it; not with weight loss (let's face it, that to me is a lost cause, and I have learned to accept it), but with other things. My New Years Resolution is to really try and take a moment's pause to enjoy life. Everyday I am rushing around, going through the motions, and I miss out on some of the really cool things that take place if you move at a more healthy, slower pace. I will also try not to fear change. I am usually pretty good at pretending to be comfortable with it, but truthfully, I can't stand change. Being in a routine is my safe, happy place. When that gets shaken up, I tend to freak out a little bit. So now, I pose the same question to myself - if I was moving at a fast pace on December 31st, why then, on January 1st am I suddenly going to be motivated to slow down? Let's just say if you get the right kick in the pants at the right time from the right person, that will motivate you to do just about anything! :)
So good luck all you weight-loss junkies; all you "I am gonna get a hobby" people; all you "shop-a-holics" turned celebate (in your own right). I applaud you for recognizing that a change needs to be made, and I am hopeful that you can stick to it. But do me a favor ... stay off my treadmill!
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