Last Updated on January 1, 2018 by Michael Brockbank
I know it’s a bit early to tell how your new year is going to unfold. However, how you start the morning on the first day can easily set the tempo for the rest of the year. The last thing you want to do is get stuck in the same ruts as before. It’s time to do something different to improve your life. Even if you’re facing a hangover.
Starting the New Year Right
I weighed myself this morning and saw I was sitting at 239.8 pounds. Yes, I gained six pounds since I left Los Angeles at the end of May. It’s also not all that surprising. I know I ate a bunch of junk over the past couple of weeks.
I know you’re probably not feeling into getting up and forcing yourself to be motivated. I mean, who is on the 1st day of the year after a night of partying? The truth is, you need to. If you can barrel through the beginning of the new year with the right attitude, it may influence the days to come.
Starting My Exercise Routines
If you don’t know, part of my personal January challenge is to perform five sets of push-ups and lying leg raises at 10 reps each throughout the entire day. This will be done everyday over the next several weeks.
The idea behind it is to see if spreading out exercises in the span of a day makes an impact. I’ve already taken a “before” picture of myself and am looking forward to the end result.
What kind of health and fitness practices have you put into your morning so far? Whether it’s a walk around the block, a quick 10-minute wake-up routine or going out and shoveling snow from your sidewalk, do something early to get the blood flowing.
Dealing with Leftovers
I’m not to concerned with the amount of leftovers I have around the house. Sure, it’s not the healthiest of foods. But I’ve already proven how I can lose weight while still snacking on “junk food.”
The most prominent point is to monitor portion sizes. I have no doubt that a lot of overweight people would drop of weight quickly if they simply considered the sheer amount of food they consume.
For example, two chocolate cordial cherries are a single serving ranging about 120 calories. The entire package of five, on the other hand, ranges up to 300. Essentially, this is more calories than I have during my breakfasts in most cases.
Am I going to throw out the leftovers? Nope. Instead, I am going to use them to help balance my diet and blood sugar levels. As long as I don’t over indulge myself, all will be perfectly fine.
Besides, it’s not like I have an incredible amount of goodies lying around the house at the moment. Remember, I pigged out severely over the last week.
Dealing with Influences
Currently, my daughters are here visiting me. This sometimes causes issues when I’m trying to be healthy and I often feel more sloth-like when they are here. However, that changes today.
If I want to truly change my life, I need to keep focused on what is best for me. Even if that means cooking two separate meals as they don’t really like a lot of the stuff I eat.
I suspect external conflicts pose a problem for many people. I doubt I am the only one who faces various instances when it comes to being healthy. It’s all about maintaining yourself, even if others around you are pigging out on Taco Bell.
Besides, a lot of the dishes I make I would rather have than anything out of a fast-food window. For instance, I love Progresso soups, my Chicken Carbonara and the Trader Joe’s food I eat.
It doesn’t hurt to have discussions with loved ones and friends and explain what you’re trying to accomplish. You may find a strong support structure and perhaps convince others into maintaining their own levels of health.
Get Excited for Change, Don’t Fear It
I cannot tell you how pumped I am for the new year. I am making profound changes in my life ranging from my level of fitness to making more money through my writing career.
The hard part is going to be maintaining the high-level of excitement. A lot of people will start strong and do what is needed to meet their goals. At least for the first few weeks. Then, a lot of them slowly decline over time.
For someone who has a hard time with motivation, depression and stress, it may almost seem impossible down the road.
Perhaps a good way to face these kinds of issues is trying hard every morning to be excited for what the future holds. Focus on something to get excited about when you wake up in the morning.
Personally, I’m going to focus on breaking personal records for push-ups and lying leg raises. I’m also semi-excited to see what I’ll look like in 30 days when compared to my picture today.
Pushing Through the Negativity
No matter how bad things look in the new year, it’s imperative to maintain a positive attitude. It’s too easy for many people to get sucked into a downward spiral and give up on improving their lives.
Although I still have issues with getting older, I’m not nearly as negative as I used to be. I’ve found that it’s more of a waste of time than anything. Now, I have to get over my regrets of not fixing things before and look to a new future.
It helps to talk about things with someone. When you feel like you’re sinking into a negative pit, friends and family can often toss you a life-line in the form of good and constructive conversation. If that doesn’t work for you, never be too afraid or shy about seeking professional help.
Making 2018 the Best Year Ever
Although you don’t have a lot of control when it comes to news in the world, you can manipulate your own existence. You are in control when it comes to making improvements in your life, even when you think you don’t. There is a way out of every box, every puzzle has a solution. Make the new year something to remember for yourself and those around you.
About Author
