Author: Michael Brigo
With over 50% of people setting fitness resolutions in the new year and over 80% failing, it begs the question; are resolutions the way to go?
Resolutions tend to inspire negative thoughts about your current situation, hence why they mostly don’t work. A resolution is pretty much a statement to change something you want to fix about yourself or your lifestyle.
An intention does not imply something is wrong with the way you currently live, but instead, it motivates you to live even better. It’s more focused on creating abundance in your life. The difference can create a totally different approach, attitude, and mindset to your New Year goals.
Creating an intention is more powerful than a resolution – here’s why:
- Resolutions focus on the negative, while intentions focus on the positive
- Resolutions spotlight what you lack, intentions highlight what you have
- Resolutions are strict, intentions are adaptable
- Resolutions don’t work, intentions do
So, what’s the best way to create an fitness intention rather than a fitness resolution?
An intention starts with your why, your reason for wanting to make improvements in your life. It’s a guiding principle you want to live by. Most people don’t take the time to do the first crucial step of having an internal conversation with themselves, but it’s necessary because it creates recognition which enhances your perception of why to do it. This, in turn, builds the motivation to take action.
Resolutions are easily identifiable. Think of resolutions as telling you what to do whereas intentions have meaning as to why to do something.
For example, resolutions are:
- “I need to eat less sugar”
- “I need to exercise more”
- “I need to stop smoking”
Start by asking yourself these questions.
- What do I want to change and/ or improve?
- What does it mean to me to achieve this?
- How will I feel when I achieve it?
- How will I feel if I don’t achieve it?
Write down the answers so they become tangible. For each answer ask yourself, “how will I do it?”
DIY – Do It Yourself
DIWY – Do It With You (you do it with someone)
DIFY – Do It For You (someone does it for you)
Let’s take smoking as an example, if you do it yourself, you choose to quit on your accord. If you do it with someone, you have a support system to guide, help, and mentor along the way. If you choose to have someone do it for you, one might undertake hypnosis to stop smoking.
When is the best time to set a New Year’s intention?
The best time to set a New Year’s intention, is when it’s most important to you, when there is an emotional attachment. Humans are emotional beings after all.
Most commonly people act out of inspiration or desperation, they either get inspired to become better or desperate to get out of a very uncomfortable circumstance.
Good starting points
Follow the golden rule – keep it simple. To start and maintain exercise, for example, it must be enjoyable, accessible, and meaningful enough for you to do it.
Why do I want to exercise?
What exercise would I like to do?
What is convenient for me?
If you’re a busy working parent who wants to feel more energetic, start by exercising once per week at a class that’s close to home. Choose a session where you don’t have to ‘push’ yourself to go but are ‘willing’ to go.
Answer those questions and you will find your optimal path for improved fitness.
Make it meaningful
An intention doesn’t have to be big or small, but it must be meaningful in order for you to act upon it. Decide on something you want to manifest in your life that will create a positive impact and help you become a better version of yourself.
The five pillars
The intention to improve in any one of the five pillars of health (physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual) are a fantastic place to start when choosing your goals. Not many people have all five pillars working together in beautiful harmony, so creating the intention to improve on the area that is lagging will create more abundance in your life. If you aren’t sure where to focus your efforts, keep an open mind and ask loved ones.
So don’t worry about a fitness resolution. If your New Year’s intention is to get in fantastic shape, learn all about THE BEST DIETS FOR 2022 REVEALED
