Why I Never Make New Year’s Resolutions

It’s that time of year again. Nothing but “year in review” montages and news shows. Everyone starting over on January 1st with some sort of major change to their lives in the form a New Year’s resolution. Here is why I almost never make resolutions.

I’ve only made 1 resolution my entire life and it actually stuck. In 2003 I decided to become a vegetarian for health, ethical and environmental reasons. 20 years later and I’m still living a plant-based life (95% vegan diet). So, if I’m batting 1000 why don’t I make resolutions and advise against them?

Firstly, drastic changes to ones lifestyle are rarely successful or sustainable. You may know this from your own experience. That diet you tried, the gym membership, daily meditation, earlier bed time, cutting back on booze etc.

Studies show that small, slow, incremental changes have a much higher success rate, long term. Take dieting for example. Cutting your calories in half or eliminating an entire macro (carbs for example) might have you losing weight pretty quickly but you’ll be miserable and unlikely to stick with it very long. Then the weight comes back.

If instead you make some small adjustments to your diet, gradually, you’re much more likely to stick with it, long term. Adding one wholefood vegetable to dinner. Not drinking your calories. Going for a walk 2 times per week. Meatless Mondays or only eating meat on the weekend. Drinking Zenberry for breakfast. These small changes can add up big time over a year or longer.

Having been seriously injured several times in my life, I know how long it takes to recover and repair the damage. I apply this mindset to any changes I want to make in my life. I know that we have to play the long game when it comes to our health and lifestyle changes. I’m patient, consistent and gentle with myself. I also know that I will fail more than once. I will cheat or “fall off the wagon” from time to time. I accept that and keep moving toward my goal despite missteps. We must have compassion for ourselves, too. Not just others. We are all imperfect, flawed human beings. Striving to be better is what life is all about in my opinion.

Our co-founder, Emma Galland, can help your reach your nutrition and/or fitness goals. Goji Fitness has programs for every goal, lifestyle and schedule.

My only resolution each New Year’s Eve? To be slightly better than I was last year. We wish everyone of you a happy and healthy new year. Zenberry will be on sale through January 5th. Save 20% and make one healthy change for 2023. Zenberry is one resolution that is easy to stick to. Thank you for reading.