10 New Years Resolutions Not Related to Bodies

You’ll probably see some lists like this over the next few weeks. You’ll probably also see many, many posts, and memes, and commercials with New Years Resolutions about starting diets and exercise programs, about becoming “the new you”, about how to lose 30lbs in 2 weeks, about flat abs and tight butts, about cutting out sugar or gluten or whatever other current bad foods are on the list. 

As an Eating Disorder advocate, I have done a lot of research on diets. The yo-yo weight loss and gain, as people start diets and then give them up, is much less healthy than being over what is considered an average BMI, and much more discouraging than simply eating foods that provide you the nutrients you need to consume in order to live. A large percentage of diets fail because they are based on restriction. Restricting leads to deprivation. Then your body and brain reach a point where your caloric and nutrition intake isn’t enough for you and you eat more than you intended, or you eat foods you restricted. That leads to shame. 

Even without an Eating Disorder, I’m sure many of you have been on that restrict-deprive-“cheat on your diet”-shame- restrict cycle. 

Wanting to eat differently than you currently do, wanting to feel stronger in your body, wanting to move more, are all valid and healthy. Those changes might even make you feel great! Making a resolution that you are likely to fail at, however, only makes you feel shameful, disappointed, and like a naughty person. 

I believe that making a resolution to lose weight, to diet, to exercise more, or to change your body in any way, is harmful. It is harmful because you are beginning a new year with the idea that there is something wrong with you. 

There is nothing wrong with you. You are perfectly imperfect and you are loved. 

This year, I encourage you make a resolution that is about your life, and not about your body. 

Here are my top 10 ideas:

1. Practice self-compassion 
2. Explore a neighbourhood that’s new to you
3. Make space for more face-to-face time instead of screen time 
4. Carve out at least one hour a week that is entirely for you
5. Commit to investing time into something that brings you joy 
6. Find somewhere you can volunteer 
7. Read one of the books that is in your “to read” pile 
8. Commit to regularly seeing family members who give you love and support 
9. Look at your budget and find one thing you can spend less on 
10. Turn “sorry” into “thank you” (eg “thank you for waiting for me” instead of “sorry I’m late”)

I hope you are inspired to be kind to yourself as we enter 2018. 

Have a Wonderful New Year!

Be kind, 

To yourself too