By Julia Liber, Registered Dietitian
It’s that time of the year. The holidays have arrived, which marks the end of 2020. Many of you are thinking of your News Year Resolution for 2021.
Before beginning with 2021, let's look back at 2020. Many of you were excited for 2020: the start of a new decade. Many of you had many goals and aspirations for the year. You were really motivated and determined to succeed at the beginning of the year, yet for many of you, your 2020 goals were not achieved this year.
Why do you think that is?🤷♂️
Let's remind ourselves that 2020 was a difficult year. Coronavirus affected the whole world in many aspects: including physical health, mental health as well as the economy and our finances. For many of you, the pandemic also affected your nutrition and fitness habits. At the start of 2020, many of you made gym memberships and were determined to work out nearly every day. You may have set goals, such as:
“This year is the year that I’ll lose 50 lbs and keep it off”
“Now it’s time for me to take control of my health. It’s time for me to lower my blood pressure”
At the time, your goal seemed realistic, but as Coronavirus hit, your work schedule and home routine may have changed, leaving you with less time on your hands to take charge of your health and fitness. The gym closures likely affected you, which is made it more difficult for you to exercise. Some of you started eating your emotions, due to all the stress that came along with this pandemic. For some, you may have lost all the motivation which you had back in January 2020. 😞
As you enter 2021, don’t beat yourself up for not fulfilling your 2020 goals! This year, we are starting fresh. Before even setting your goals, there are some things you need to consider:
Are my goals adaptable to my life situation?
This is likely why some of you have not succeeded in your 2020 goals, since you forgot that goals are dynamic, not static. Your goal must be adaptable according to your current life situation. For example, for all of you that are mothers, you know that in the first few months of motherhood, your routine completely changes! Your goal a few months back may have been to sleep 8 hours/night, but with a new baby waking you up every time you take a nap, this goal is laughable! You need to adapt your goal given your circumstances so that your goal can be attainable.
This year, when making your goals, consider how your life has changed since COVID, including:
- Has my budget changed? 💲
- How much free time do I have?⌚
- Am I eating my emotions more often these days?
- Do I have the space/equipment to work out?
Take all of this into account where making your plan! Of course, we hope that eventually, life will go back to normal and you won't have to consider COVID when setting your goals. But it’s good to make your goals according to your current situation, and you can always change your goals once things change!
Do I have the tools I need to achieve my goals?🔧
- If you want to lose weight, what do you need to lose weight? Do you know how to lose weight?
- If you want to exercise more often, do you have space in your home? Must you buy equipment? (this can mean going to buy dumbbells, an exercise mat or skis, depending on your goals!)
Don’t be afraid to seek support!
- This is a very important step. Some of us have goals in mind, but we find these goals difficult to achieve. There is no shame in seeking help! Dietitians can help you achieve your nutrition goals. We can help you come up with an action plan, outlining the steps you need to take in order to achieve your goals. We personalize the plan to you, and we guide you every step of the way, helping you when you come across obstacles (because let’s face it, everybody faces obstacles). To learn more about dietitians, check out my previous article.
- If your goals are more fitness related, consider consulting with a kinesiologist or personal trainer!
Take my key tips into account and write down your goals! Have a look at them every month or so to see where you are at, and determine whether the goal needs to be adjusted, or if you are lacking motivation.
If you need extra support, reach out! I am a Registered Dietitians and I see clients one-on-one. I offer free discovery calls, where I get to learn about your nutrition goals, and you get to learn more about me and my approach. Together, we will see if we are the right fit to work together. Book your free call today.👈
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Happy New Year and wishing you all the best of luck with 2021!🥳🎈
The information presented in this article is intended for informational purposes only. They are not intended to treat, diagnose, or give specific medical advice. The information in this article is not intended as medical advice, medical nutrition therapy, or individualized nutrition. No content on this should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical or nutritional advice from your doctor or Registered Dietitian.
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