I know why people fail at their New Year's resolutions.

...


It's because they make resolutions in the first place.


If anyone cares what I think, I'll tell you what I think. And it's this:


People who sit and wait and make resolutions based on the turning of a new year, a wedding engagement, the arrival of a baby, the moving to a new town or whatever other milestone events they experience will fail to realize their resolutions the majority of the time.


And this is why:


The people who wait until a future event to make a change in their lives don't believe they can make that change now.

If a body believed they could actually see definition in their abs, they wouldn't wait until January 1st to commit to throwing out the leftover candy cane sugar cookies and dumping the last glass of wine down the sink.

If a young woman truly believed that she could shed 40 pounds before her wedding, then she would begin now, not months in the future when she finally saw a glittering diamond ring appear on their left finger.

If the mother of three thought she could stop eating her Milky Way Midnight Dark bars and sipping on cinnamon dolce lattes, she wouldn't wait until the kids went back to school after Christmas break.


And those people who want one last hoorah ("just a few more days and then no more chocolate! EVER!") believe that the resolution is incredibly more painful than the subsequent life improvements are worth.

You don't know what you don't know. And you know what? People who don't know what health feels like assume the worst. It's painful. And it's hard. And it really really stinks.

Truth? Yes, on all accounts...at first.

But if good health sucks all the time, no one but the most masochistic would stick with it.

For those people who think that they will suddenly become successful at a future arbitrary date, they are people who are simply not successful...and won't ever be successful until they stop putting off their desires, goals, and "resolutions."

Resolutions should not be confused with goals. Resolutions are "I will" or "I will not" statements with no clear direction or strategy.

Goals, on the other hand, are concrete destinations with a clear cohesive strategy to succeed.

e.g. There is a HUGE difference between "I'll stop biting my nails in 2013" and "Since it generally takes 21 days to establish a habit, I'll schedule weekly manicures for the next three weeks so that my nails look too nice to pick at."

The same holds true for working out, eating right, getting up earlier, going to bed earlier, walking the dog more often, and cooking at home more than eating out.


Don't make a resolution. Set a goal. Don't wait until Tuesday, January 1st. Start now.


And try using the below success chart to help guide you in your successful endeavors:

P.S. And the Winner Is...

Thank you all who entered to win a FREE kettlebell eBook!

Last time a contest was held here on Beautiful Strength, I fed Lola tator tots assigned with each entrant's name. Sadly, my behemoth of a Saint Bernard did not get any tator tots this go-around (although the vet did say he wanted her to gain a few pounds).

But Lola did ask that I chose two winners, not just one...so in the random "chosen from a hat" style, the winners are:

Tia and Kris! Congratulations!

I'll be looking at what everyone said in their comments and creating some very cool blog posts for y'all so be sure and check back for ways to reach your 2013 health and fitness goals.

P.P.S. Have you signed up for the Cast Iron Wisdom newsletter? Why not?? Make it a goal for yourself :P

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