Written by, Dara Wilson

Why is it that so many of us tend to focus our New Year’s resolutions on weight? A new year, new you is almost always defined as: lose 10 pounds, lose 20 pounds, or lose 50 pounds. It is very common for individuals to quickly give up their diet “plans” soon after the new year. People are even quicker in calling themselves a failure for it. Forcing yourself to drastically change lifestyle or eating habits, instead of doing it in progression, will almost always result in a diet crash or other flopped resolutions.

We know this statement has been so overused, but it couldn’t be truer: “It’s been a rough year. Seriously, go easy on yourself.” Let’s find healthy ways to make positive changes in our life, without the body-shaming and lifestyle-shaming emphasis we tend to bring into our New Year’s resolutions. Trust us, your mental health will thank you.

Instead of the focus being on losing or changing something about your appearance, shift your focus on what you can do to be happier and more satisfied. Here are a few simple ways to make a positive shift in 2021, both physically and mentally.

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU RESOLUTIONS FOR A POSITIVE SHIFT

• Use positive wording when making New Year resolutions.
• Verbs: improve, become, change, encourage, reflect, make, create, switch, shift, expand
• Adjectives: uplifting, inspirational, refreshing, calming, new, different, bright, open, delicious, homemade
• Nouns: time, pattern, morning, afternoon, night, hobby, food, room, window, outside
• Adverbs: daily, nightly, weekly, monthly, constantly, repeatedly, slowly, often, quickly, casually
• Create clear and obtainable daily, weekly, or monthly goals, not just yearly ones.
• Make a list of new actions or activities. Include friends and loved ones. Remember, you can build upon these as time goes on to become better at or do more often.

How to Stick to a Plan of Self Love

• Give yourself rewards for meeting your goals of trying/doing something different/new. Change can be hard, but it doesn’t have to be. Treat yourself to a chocolate bar or other food that makes you happy.
• If you didn’t meet a goal, don’t give up or throw your resolutions away. Reflect on why you didn’t meet this goal. Make a plan on how you can achieve it in a different way.
• Continuously examine/revise your resolution list. What is working for you? Is something not working for you? Can you change something so it is easier to adapt to?

New Year, New You with RED

Great mental health starts with what you put in your body.

• Drink lots of water.
• Get a good night’s sleep.
• Be active on a daily basis of 30 minutes or more.
• Eat fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Have a sweet tooth? You’re in the right place. RED satisfies sweet cravings while delivering fewer calories and less fat.