As 2014 draws to a close, many of us have already started to consider what old stuff (perhaps clothes and shoes or maybe even bad habits and fears) to throw out.
A new year on the horizon is an opportunity for reflection and a time to set goals for bringing a new you into the next 365 days and beyond. For as much as we lament them, New Year’s resolutions have become a time-honored tradition of the “out with the old in with the new” process and from year to year, our ambitions don’t change all that much. Check out any top 10 list of resolutions since forever and you’ll find career advancement and getting in shape as mainstays.
In recent years, however, the mega success of our favorite pop stars has changed our perception of what it means to get ahead professionally. No longer are we looking to impress the boss, we want to be one. But long before #Boss was a thing and Jay and Bey had us rethinking our livelihoods, we’ve been letting ourselves down in the area of fitness. Check out any top 10 list of the most commonly broken New Year’s resolutions in the history of New Year’s resolutions and you’ll find “getting fit” right there at the top.
I get it. I really do get it. A fitness goal requires a change in lifestyle and can be particularly challenging for someone who doesn’t have an active background. Many workout newbies make the mistake of latching on to the newest craze or trying to keep up with the Joneses when they first start out.
Truth time: that follower mentality will get you nowhere fast. Don’t be a follower. Here are three tips to help you take charge and be the boss of your quest for a fit, healthy life.
- Don’t assume what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Our relationships can be great catalysts for jumpstarting our workout regimens but, be careful of relying on them to heavily. Our boyfriends/girlfriends like to lift weights so we’ll probably love it too right? Our mom loves Zumba so we’ll love it too, right? Wrong. And when it turns out that you don’t think Zumba is fun or you think that lifting weights is boring, that discouragement can throw you off the path toward your goal. Be willing to explore and find out what type of movement will both challenge you and inspire you to keep going, to be consistent. For this you must…
- Be prepared to go it alone. Listen, I won’t lie to you and tell you that having a workout partner isn’t awesome because when that partnership is right, oh man, it’s right. You just might not have the luxury of starting your journey with that person. If your best friend doesn’t want to try that yoga class with you that you are just dying to try. Do it anyway. If yoga turns out to be right for you, you’ll make friends there. In fitness, as in life, on an authentic path you’ll be lifted up, supported and you’ll be provided with all the tools and resources you need to stay the course. But …
- Be patient. This thing is all about patience. Be patient with yourself as you go from class to class and gym to gym in search of the right mix of exercise and environment. Be patient with your body as change happens and results are revealed in big and small ways from day to day. Be patient with your loved ones as they adjust to your new schedule and your new priorities.
The bottom line is this: The journey won’t be easy and it will come at a cost. Do yourself a favor, be a boss and pay up.
Wishing you health,
Rosalyn
Rosalyn R. Ross is a yoga teacher and media professional based in Memphis, Tennessee. In addition to her group yoga classes, Rosalyn also works one-on-one with athletes seeking to expand their practice of yoga. She currently works with the University of Memphis men’s basketball team and is a sought after freelance sports journalist specializing in print and radio.
Instagram: R_Trinity
Twitter: @R_Trinity
