Its a debate that’s raged for years, should we make resolutions for new year or go with the flow?  In years gone by I have exhausted myself trying to stick to my resolves which are usually thoroughly unrealistic so I am very much in the camp of NOT making resolutions of the ‘I resolve to lose weight’ ‘I will go to the gym daily’ kind…because I almost certainly won’t…(well I hope I might drop a bit of weight but resolving to go on a diet is unlikely to achieve that)

Having said that though I do think its good to take some time for reflection at the end of a year.  I’ve borrowed the idea from the lovely Jo De Rosa founder of Quantum Sobriety and Inner Guidance retreats, to choose a word for the year, Jo says it acts as a kind of gatekeeper for all that you focus on, people on my Media Hub facebook group have been toying with ideas such as Abundance, Focus, Authentic, Accomplish, space, Spectacular.  In The Sober Club, the membership community I run, words such as Connection, Joy, Happiness have popped up.

Jo by the way is queen of ‘resetting’ and empowering yourself to be your best self, check out the incredible retreats at Inner Guidance including the one I am hosting at the end of Jan and in May 8-10th Sobriety Rocks www.innerguidance.co.uk

I also like the idea of setting intentions or goals, and making a commitment , being clear on what you want is far more productive than making a ‘resolution’ which tends to be merely berating yourself for what you haven’t done well the year before.  I love creating vision boards to literally see what I would like to manifest, and create some affirmations that will work for the year ahead.

I intend to reflect on the year just gone and practice gratitude, even for the bits that weren’t so good,  hopefully I can find the learning in there somewhere….and I will definitely create that vision board.  I am going to set definite diary dates for self-care, for me that means going to walk by the sea, so as I don’t live near it, that’s going to mean a trip, minimum monthly even if its a quick train ride to Brighton to blast away the cobwebs walking along the sea front!

I asked some of the changemakers and colleagues I have been working with this year to give us their thoughts on setting intentions for the New Year ….

Often our thoughts do turn to doing something about our weight or fitness levels,

Nutritional therapist and fitness expert Louise Mercieca says.

If top of the list for many people at new year  is to lose weight or eat healthier, people can be unrealistic and set themselves up for failure!  Drastic changes rarely work in the longer term, so it is best to be gentle on yourself!   How should you really set achievable goals and not be like the estimated 90% that fail with resolutions?

Don’t banish everything in the first week of January.  Instead gradually make changes, this way you won’t notice them as much and are more likely to stick with them

Make a plan but make it for the whole year – something relevant to you and your schedule.

Involve friends and family in goals and plans so you don’t feel isolated.

Set realistic goals in small steps and allow yourself one indulgence a month so that you don’t feel you are depriving yourself, this way you are less likely to give up completely

Drink more water, it’s amazing how many people are dehydrated and yet this actually will make you less efficient at metabolising fat!  Start with day with hot water and lemon.

Look after your gut health, when this works you will manage your weight more effectively include both pre and probiotics in your diet.

Move more but within your own capabilities.

Don’t compare yourself to others especially those you only see on a screen or magazine cover.

Stay calm! Cortisol (stress hormone) increases abdominal fat storage so please don’t create more stress with your New Year’s Resolutions!

Sleep – never underestimate the healing powers of sleep. Lack of sleep also affects your hunger hormone Ghrelin; That leads to poor sleep = increased appetite.

Louise Mercieca is a Nutritional Therapist and author of the award-winning How Food Shapes Your Child nutritional cook book. www.louisemercieca.co.uk

Love Yourself 

Its something I talk about a lot, and have only found possible in recent months, but its a great idea to start with ‘body positivity’

Carolyn Bointon doesn’t class herself an ‘expert’ in positivity but she has a lovely idea, Carolyn says..

‘I’ve learned that over people’s emotions impact on me so I strive to make friends appreciate the good in themselves, whether its a compliment on their hair or clothes or a simple ‘wow you handled that well’ I find surrounding myself with people who feel good  about themselves makes me feel good too! So not entirely altruistic but a good resolution and one that I can keep!

If you’re looking for more fulfillment  in 2020 here’s a comment from Nadine Searle

Ever heard of The Wheel of Life?  Leah Dixon writes..

 

To Conclude..

So at the start of a new year take some time to reflect on the one just gone, ask yourself what you want for the coming year and tune in to how you might go about making that happen.  If there is something you have been putting off, something you know has to be addressed there’s no better time than harnessing the energy of a new year.  Treat yourself to a new journal and scribble away, read my blog posts on writing being the best therapy, it might change your life!

You’ve heard me say it many times before…If there is something you want to achieve, whether is a new business, a charity, the book you always wanted to write, the relationship you know you deserve, you will need to visualise it, imagine it and then take action and above all remember

‘You Don’t have to get it right…you DO have to get it going’

I wish you a wonderful blissful abundant and joyful …and healthy New Year and of course becasue of the work I am now doing, I wish you a sober one too!

Check out my work with The Sober Club