Chris Worthy Published 9:49 a.m. ET Jan. 4, 2021
Its January and that means its time to lose weight, do a cleanse wait, nope, not that. We made it to 2021, people. We did it. The light at the end of this tunnel is not a freight train and we are going to do things differently this year. Right? Right.
Resolutions dont really work. We know that intuitively, I think, but its hard to resist the ceremonial turning of the calendar page as a new leaf. While were all still in quarantine you are still in quarantine, arent you? we have the chance to evaluate what weve learned and gained and, in far too many cases, lost. We can emerge from this once-every-hundred-years mess with our vaccinated selves as sure and ready as butterflies who have transformed in their cocoons.
Lets go!
We can think of new ways to hit the reset button while heading into a new year with new resolutions. (Photo: Getty Images)
One sure thing we learned this past year is that the state of our health every day has never been more important. Soon, we will be able to meet friends for dinners out, share birthday cakes with people who blow candles out (right on the cake!) and share backyard cookouts with those wonderful souls weve missed.
Food is not our enemy, but it can enrich our health or deprive us of it. Instead of doing a short cleanse or a reset of your tastebuds after holiday indulgences, why not look ahead for the long haul. A healthy lifestyle doesnt mean you cant have food you love. It means you can be free of dieting and fads. Thats something to celebrate.
Resources:
How Not to Dietby Michael Greger (nutritionfacts.org)
Forks Over Knives(2011 film) As of press time, available free online at tubitv.com.
Local resources:Terri Edwards ateatplant-based.comand vegucator Dawn Hilton-Williams at
herban-eats.com.
If youve been around gyms for any length of time, you know they will be as packed as COVID allows this month. And for those adopting a new routine, thats wonderful. What isnt wonderful is how many of those folks will stop showing up by March 1. This is the year we do things differently.
If a group exercise class can (safely) get you motivated to move, please find your favorite. Maybe this is the year you invest in your health by booking some virtual or in-person sessions with a personal trainer. (No guilt allowed on that there is no better investment than in your health.)
If you know you need some different motivation to move your one and only body, sit with that for a minute. It seems counterintuitive to think about movement rather than, you know, actually moving, but a little self-reflection can make all the difference.
Make sure you are healthy enough for what you choose and then put one foot in front of the other. Go for a walk outside. Rent a bike and hit the Swamp Rabbit Trail. We live in one of the most beautiful places in the world and many of us always exercise indoors or look down at our phones when we go out. Look up! Grab your quarantine pod and a warm coat and head outside.
Resources:
South Carolina State Parks:southcarolinaparks.com
Greenville County parks:greenvillerec.com
Take a class at REI:rei.com/stores/greenville
Ladies, need some hiking buddies?Head to Facebook and search Hikerbabes Community:Upstate South Carolina Chapter.
Whew, we have spent a lot of time away from humans over the past year. Even as an introvert, it has been difficult. The extroverts are ready to escape and hug everyone they see. While traditional resolutions often focus on what we do for ourselves, we can shift that as well this new year.
What cause stirs your heart? What expertise or life experience do you bring to the table that can serve someone else? Gather those tools and be willing to learn from those already doing the work. Upstate charities rely on our financial support, certainly, but many need our physical selves involved. Service is a wonderful way to reassimilate with our neighbors as it is safe to do so. Find your passion, search local resources online and sign up. This is an investment that will reap dividends far beyond what you expect.
Bucket lists are so 2019. It can sound clich, but we learned this year that it isnt stuff that makes us happy, unless its toilet paper and disinfectant. What we need to replenish our souls are experiences, memory-making and learning. As for me, Im planning vacations. This homebody is ready to go and Im prioritizing time and finances accordingly, as much as possible. What are your dreams? Make that list of places to see, things to do and skills to learn. Start today.
Resource:
Your library card really is a ticket to whatever you want. Start your travel planning and research, learn a new language, take a virtual class and more.greenvillelibrary.org
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Hitting the reset button on New Years with a new approach to resolutions - Greenville News
