Resolutions vs. Goals…
Do They Mean the Same Thing?
By: Janine Frank – CEO & Co-Founder of 2 Health Nuts
As Zig Ziglar once said, “You need a plan to build a house. To build a life, it is even more important to have a goal.”
With it being a few short weeks into the New Year, it is, definitely, a time of reflection, dreaming of sunshine and warmer weather days, and wondering if those CRAZY resolutions we made – yes, CRAZY – were really for the birds.
You know, those resolutions you have posted on your refrigerator, bathroom mirror, in your car, on the pantry door, etc., reminding you of your commitment to working out two times a day, 7 days a week, eating nothing but salad greens without any dressing, and swearing off sweets and treats until a special occasion. Even a special occasion on your list of resolutions may be a bit of a stretch.
Resolutions vs. goals…are they the same thing?
Plain and simple – “plans” keep us in a controlled state. Yes, they can be helpful to keep us on a positive trajectory, as long as we allow for flexibility, embrace change, and view our “failures”as feedback. By the way, failures are a positive – we need them to help us grow!
This is where “resolutions” keep us struggling.
If we don’t accomplish or achieve EXACTLY what we set out to do, then, FORGET IT! Resolutions come with unrealistic or unsustainable expectations. They leave us without a maintenance plan and, ultimately, leave us feeling “weak” since we were unable to achieve. Nothing like starting the New Year feeling defeated and asking yourself “now what?”
This is the very mindset that continues to keep us in a very passive state.
GOAL SETTING changes this mindset! It allows you to become more involved in your own life with what works for you, and it’s a continued practice in building the TRUST factor. Goals provide accountability, help you to “dial-in” and get extremely laser focused with what YOU want, provide clarity, motivation, and, guess what, help you become a better version of your current self!
How can we re-frame those so-called resolutions we made on December 31st?
If you are looking to get in a consistent fitness routine & promote healthy eating habits, let’s focus on the word consistency. When it comes to fitness, choose activities that excite, motivate, and challenge you (in a good way of course). Instead of placing an emphasis on the number of days per week, for a set amount of time, listen to your body & allow movement to be your goal. Simple!
Some days, a weight training session, or your favorite spin class at the gym, is calling your name. Other days, a leisurely walk with some fresh air does your body good. Maybe a day of putting away your Holiday decorations has your step count soaring, or playing with your kids/grandkids has you breaking a sweat. Fitness need not be complicated, and a healthy reminder we have to do what works for each of us, individually.
As for healthy eating habits, I have shared in previous articles my philosophy on nutrition – it’s all about YOU and YOUR goals. Just like fitness, your nutrition does not need to be complicated either. We start to get tripped up when reading the latest 2024 diet book , magazine articles that promote losing “those last 10 lbs, in only 2 weeks,” listening to our BFF about what has worked for them, and you know how the rest goes. All of the sudden, we want to do a complete food overhaul. It almost feels like a store closing sale – everything must go! The good news is that it does not have to be this way. We simply need to dial it back; be more in tune with our body.
Actually, we just need to listen to our body.
Here is a fun little “exercise;” pun not intended. Without getting into the nitty gritty of the carbohydrate, protein, and healthy fat discussion, would you agree the following statements are correct:
- An apple with good quality peanut butter is probably a more energy “smart” snack than a bag of peanut M&M’s.
- Adding a serving of peanut M&M’s to your homemade trail mix is a great way to curb hunger, cravings, and never feeling deprived of your favorite fun foods.
- A dry salad with greens, bland vegetables, and no protein or dressing leaves you feeling hungry within an hour after lunch, and diving head first into a bag of potato chips & leftover chocolate chip cookies from the Holiday’s.
- A salad with greens, veggies, grilled chicken, avocado, a little cheese, and some dressing leaves you feeling satisfied, energized, and content after lunch and cruising until dinner.
Practicing healthy eating habits does not mean feeling deprived, eliminating foods, and no longer enjoying what you love. Healthy eating focuses on nutrient rich foods such as whole grains, fruits, veggies, lean proteins and healthy fats that give you energy and a feeling of satisfaction, all while sprinkling in those deliciously fun foods. Some may call this moderation, the 80/20 rule, or, how I like to view it, eating for you, your individual GOALS, your likes, and what makes you happy. Eat for what is going to fuel you body, mind, and soul.
It’s just that easy!
Now, doesn’t that feel so much better than working out twice a day, 7 days a week, and eating bland salad greens?
The 2 Health Nuts think so! See you later resolutions!
