New Year’s Real-Solutions

It’s January 1st. You know the extremes, you either disregard resolutions altogether or go overboard on dieting, relationship, or money resolutions that according to all stats are kaput just a few week later (and then there’s all this silly and unhelpful guilt you are carrying into the new year!).

I totally understand the appeal of resolutions, as a matter of fact, here’s some of my past doozies: I swore off carbs and then had a loving husband cook pancakes on New Years day–I couldn’t resist a “bite” (oops!).  I know some others (not me of course) who resolved to start the year with a well intended morning workout that was missed because they slept in…(fail!)

So we’ve all been there before.

But I offer on this day of resolutions, an alternative approach to New Year’s commitments and declarations and that’s to think about the changes you want to make for 2013 in terms of real-solutions to specific problems. Think more holistically about problems you’d like to solve in your life and then come up with real solutions for them.

Here’s some examples:

Problem: living paycheck to paycheck
Solutions: create a simple budget where you explicitly identify your priorities. After bills, a budget it really about identifying priorities (massages and eating out or saving for retirement and college or some combination of all).

Problem: fluctuating weight
Solutions:

set up a weekly workout schedule.

exercise discipline with eating.
I know…easier said than done, but again focus on the real solution(s) that will help you solve the problem. Also try new foods. Exploring new cuisines can help put the fun back in eating. If there is fear and guilt around eating, your relationship with food will always be sucky.

grab a workout buddy.
I loved doing zumba on youtube, but as with most things in life having an accountability workout partner is key. I have one and it’s made a big difference (getting into a bathing suit during the fall and winter for water Zumba takes someone else joining you–seriously!).

Hopefully you find somethings you love to do, so working out is not a chore. For me, running on a treadmill was torture, I would try to read, listen to music, or watch TV, but 30 mins seemed like forever. Since I am a classically trained dancer, Zumba and water Zumba have been great for me.

Problem: I have a disjointed wardrobe. I have a bunch of jeans and shirts, but still nothing to wear.
solution: Tune in to my pretty blue style (on Friday’s) that will cover everything from how to select and wear seasonal basics and trends, to helping the busy shopper create a wardrobe from one store. (plug!)

Problem: I want to conquer the world in 2013 and feel overwhelmed because I don’t know where to start. (hmmm who could this be?)

Potential solution:
Tune in to my Wednesday Wisdoms, they are mostly meant to encourage you (and me) as we seek to live out our dreams. I give good food for thought… (yes another plug, wink wink!)

In all seriousness, if you do decide to do the New Year’s resolution thing, make sure you are articulating real solutions to real and solvable problems. Keep the solutions small and realize every day is a day to do better, not just January 1st-7th.

Happy 2013!

The best is yet to come:)