Did you know that January 17th was “Ditch Your Resolutions Day”? It’s the day most people already give up on their well-intentioned New Year’s goals of getting in shape and working out more – which I think is such a shame. The research goes back and forth on exactly how long it takes to form a habit (21 days? 60 days?) but seventeen days is definitely not long enough.
But what I like least about the made-up holiday is the fact that it makes it acceptable to give up on your resolutions – which is a really terrible mentality if you truly want to achieve your goals. Why is failure considered acceptable? If I learned anything from reading Angela Duckworth’s Grit last year, it’s the importance of persisting rather than just giving up when things don’t go your way.
Falling off the wagon in mid-January doesn’t mean you have to wait until January 2018 to try again; you can restart a resolution any time you like. That’s part of why I really like the Habitbull app – if I miss a day, it shows up as a break in the chain, but that break can be just a blip on the radar if I keep going and build a longer chain. As I mentioned in my January goal check in on Thursday, I did skip my morning routine one day this month, but I caught up later in the day and didn’t stress too much about missing it. I’m really happy with my decision to shoot for small goals this year, and while it may not seem like much, I’m pretty proud that I’ve stuck with my resolutions so far!
If you haven’t been so successful with your resolutions (or if you didn’t set any at all), there’s no time like the present to reevaluate 🙂 I recently enjoy a short eBook, Bad Habits No More: 25 Steps to Break Any Bad Habit by Steve Scott. I picked it up because it had an intriguing title and also because it was free, but I’d say it was definitely worth double that 😉 Haha. In all seriousness, Scott did an awesome job summarizing tons of different research around habits and providing actionable tactics to break bad habits and adopt good habits. Plus, at only 89 pages, it’s a very quick and easy read.
Giveaway!
Wireless sport Bluetooth headphone maker Jaybird wants to help keep people motivated and on track to reach their New Year’s resolutions… so they’ve offered to give away a pair of the Jaybird Freedom Wireless Headphones to one lucky reader. The Freedoms have microsized buds that are designed to fit snugly in even the smallest of ears.
This giveaway is open to anyone in the US. To enter, leave a comment telling me what resolution you’re working toward achieving, and log that in the Rafflecopter widget below (if you’re reading this in Feedly/Bloglovin’/email, you’ll need to click through to enter). The contest will run through next Friday February 10th at 11:59pm MT, at which time a winner will be chosen by random drawing and contacted by email.
Disclosure: Jaybird sent me a pair of the Freedom Bluetooth Wireless Headphones as well, but I received no other compensation for this post. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
I’m working on my only new years resolution this year: Being mindful and intentional. So far it’s a work in progress, which is just fine by me!
That’s a great one! The New York Times did a great series over the last few months on “how to be mindful in X situation” that you might like.
I’m trying to fight the afternoon snack cravings! Especially during this busy season at work, it is hard to avoid all the temptations at the office!
I definitely need to work on this, Em! I’ve gotten in the habit of having a regular-sized breakfast and lunch, but then getting ravenous in the afternoon and snacking so much I ruin dinner.
Working out consistently – at least 4 days a week even while traveling!
Great goal, Stacey! I just shared an article in my Links today about staying healthy on the road that you might like.
Mine was to drink more water and work out more. I got the workouts down but I just don’t like plain water so I am failing there!
I know that the carbonation can be bad for your teeth if consumed in large quantities, but have you tried flavored seltzer? I love Polar brand if you are in the Northeast, or La Croix if you live elsewhere.
I am currently working on losing weight.
Good luck, Kimberly!
I’m working towards my goals of running 5 half marathons this year and bringing down my PR!
That’s awesome – which one is up first?
I’m trying to get in shape.
Good luck!
My New Years resolution is to pay off debt. I’m already off to a good start!
Ooh, let me know what resources/tactics you find to help! I love learning more about personal finance.
I’m using a budget template that I found on the One Twenty Five blog that I tweaked to fit my budget needs. I’ve found that my biggest issue with budgeting/debt payment/saving money was not knowing where my money was going. It’s definitely helped being able to see where I’m spending money!
That sounds great – I’ll go check it out.
I am working towards establishing a regular running routine. I get so caught up in the day to day distractions, so my goal is to establish a good routine again this year.
Great goal, Carly! I’ve learned that if I don’t get my workout in first thing, I end up skipping it because of all my distractions too.
I am training for a half marathon. It won’t be my first but my goal is to train much more consistently.
Great goal, Maureen – which half?
I’m working towards PRing my half marathon time this April! I’m also focusing more on sprint work and looking to join my first meetup group for it.
So excited to hear from you, Meighan! Which half?
I’m doing the Shape half in NYC 🙂 PS: You are looking great girl, keep on crushing your run times!
That is such a fun one – good luck! And thank you 🙂
I’m trying to stay focused on the task at hand instead of getting overwhelmed with a long to do list. And keeping up with physical therapy exercises to keep my hips in check!
You are progressing SO well – I’ve loved reading all your updates on your return to running as well as your career change!
I’m trying to work out consistently and vary my workouts from just running. So far I’ve managed to work in a little strength training most weeks, and some cardio other than running!
That’s great, Elizabeth! Sometimes it’s so easy to just get into a routine and never mix it up… I can be quite guilty of that one 🙂
While I don’t make ‘official’ resolutions I did want to try to carve out more time to read this year. I tend to go in phases with books and while I love to read it isn’t always a priority in a busy day. I’ve been trying to set a side a bit of time each day and have read more books actually this month that I have in a long time. Now I have to find time to figure out what to read next: 🙂
Let me know if you’re ever looking for recommendations! 🙂
Always up for recommendations! Need to look up the titles on your recent post.
I don’t have a resolution persay but I am trying to be more mindful eating. like not snacking after dinner and not eating unless truly hungry – I am never in the mornings so I don’t force myself to eat until I am.
Oooh that’s a good one! I am definitely guilty of eating just because it’s the right time, rather than paying attention to whether I’m actually hungry.
cutting back on drinking soda
Good goal!
Taking more time for me.
That’s so important, Edye!
I’m working on being more present and grateful.
I’m trying to ditch my phone more at meals… making some progress!
The resolution I’m currently working towards is exercising 3 or more times per week.
Good luck, Rachel!
I’m working towards being more mindful.
Check out the New York Times’ series on “how to be mindful when _____”; it has some good ideas.
I was feeling a bit rough at the end of December, and didn’t quite pull it together in time to start a resolution in Jan! It was nearly January 15 before I even started considering the issue, and I decided to take this year a month at a time. Last year, I felt like the whole year flew by in a blink, and at the end I felt a bit windswept.
Taking my resolutions a month at a time is my way of making sure that the year doesn’t pass me by without my permission!
So, for the month of February, my goal is to attend 6:30 AM yoga every day. Once I am able to do that (and once the days start getting lighter earlier), I want my March goal to be that I run every other day at 6:30 AM, and yoga on the off days! These earbuds would DEF help with that.
Love that goal, Anagha! I think hvaing a new goal every month is so fun 🙂
I did the “one word” thing instead of resolutions, and my word is “stability.” I’ve been doing yoga every day and strength training 3-4 times a week, so the physical part of the goal is going well. Still working on the work-life balance thing, but I’m reading blogs right now instead of working, so that’s progress, right? 😉
Haha DEFINITE progress, Cassie 🙂
Those look so awesome. I am still working towards gaining my self confidence back and that will entail by any means necessary to getting that back!
Blasting some energizing, positive music should definitely help 🙂
My goal is to get back into a consistent workout schedule. Since moving and getting a dog in the fall this has been a struggle.
I think routine is really the key – good luck!
I’m trying to have a more balanced schedule, and to be open to changing plans.
Oof, that’s a tough one for me – I like things to go according to plan 🙂
Eating less meat, living a healthier lifestyle is my goal.
Good luck!
I didn’t actually make any resolutions. I have a loose goal of 2k miles this year, but I won’t be upset if I don’t hit it (I’m already behind b/c I’m enjoying keeping my mileage in the mid 30s right now).
Wow, 2000 miles is awesome and really impressive! But I like your strategy of keeping it loose 🙂
Focusing on growing a healthy baby 🙂
Congratulations, Steph!!!!
I’m working on spending less time in front of screens after work!
I am so guilty of this!
I’m just trying to get myself back into running after being in grad school and not having much time for it. Aiming for 3 days of running per week right now until that gets easier, and then I hope to add more!
I liked reading your Zoo Run race report! Can’t wait to see what’s coming for February 🙂
I’m trying to be balanced, and appreciate movement where I can get it in instead of trying to force a plan.
Great to hear from you, Erica!
My resolution was to be more consistent with my morning workouts, even when traveling. Any suggestions for fitting in exercise while on work travel? I’m in different cities for 1-2 nights many weeks.
I’m not doing so well on this front right now (and will be writing a full post on it this week). I try to work out first thing in the morning, since by the end of the day I’m too tired and just can’t motivate. If I do it first thing, then no matter how late I’m stuck at the office, I’ve already gotten my workout in.
Right now, I’m stuck with a hotel fitness center that’s way too small and doesn’t have room for everyone in the mornings. Thinking I might try incorporating some DailyBurn workouts in my room (if they have enough no equipment ones)? Today I did something from my no-equipment workout board on Pinterest when I couldn’t get into the gym.
I am currently working on trying to eat healthy!! It is very hard but so far I think I am doing pretty good!! I also need to drink more water!! I don’t drink nearly enough of what I’m supposed to
I did a *really* poor job drinking water today so will be joining you on that bandwagon tomorrow!
I drink lots of water, I exercise daily.
Nice work!
I am working on eating healthier.
Great goal, Jason!
Currently pregnant and due in July 🙂 So besides continually gaining weight, my other new your resolution is to keep running as long as possible to make birth and after easier.
Congratulations, Beth!
Staying active the rest of my pregnancy (due at the end of March) and rebuilding my cardio and strength post partum.
Sounds like this is a common goal for readers – good luck!
resolving to get my diet under control!
I’m working on this too, Danielle.
My resolution is daily journaling – on track so far!
I love that idea for a resolution, Hannah!
I would like to manager my money better.
I’m working on this too, Karla.
Exercising consistently.
I find that I *have* to work out daily, or I can’t stay in the habit. I just go easy some days and harder other days!
Trying to be more active and get the family involved in being active also. We go to the gym with our sons every sunday.
I love that you’re getting your family involved, Seyma!
Losing a little weight and getting into shape
Good goals!
I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions but I have wanted to make sleep a bigger priority and for the most part II have been getting more than I had in the past.
That’s great, Elle!
Learning a new language. I am on my way, but it’s taking a lot of effort.
That’s a great goal! Which language?
Love to do more workout
Are you exploring new workouts, or sticking to a usual routine?