The New Year's Resolution Pill

It's a brand new year.   Time to renege ... I mean accomplish ... all those unreachable ... I mean realistic ... resolutions we've posted on our new calendars. Who are we kidding? Every year we set the same goals, within the same time frame. Do we ever fully achieve them?

"I'm not going to be taken advantage of this year." Sure you will.   And just like last year, you'll be totally shocked when it happens. "I'm going to apply myself every hour of each workday to be the best that I can be." Get real.   CEOs don't even do that. "I'm not going to lose my temper in arguments with my fiancé." Yes you will, because he can really push your buttons.   Maybe he keeps doing that thing, you know, that thing you hate. Or, maybe it's just that you're a hothead. Hopefully, he loves you in spite of that.

And what's the most popular resolution each and every year? "I'm going to lose weight. Yes, sir. I'm going to get back in shape. I'm going to make my health a priority." At least until I get really stressed out at work. Or how's this? I don't have enough time. Yeah, that works. That always works. How about the painfully honest, I just don't feel like it anymore.  

This is like a SCANTRON test. There is more than one correct answer. You have to choose the one that is most correct. Take your time. Got one? Good. Now let's get down to the business of exploding all these excuses, and setting the plans in motion that will help us achieve these goals for a change.

If you are like most Americans, you set these really ambitious (see ridiculous) weight-loss goals the first of the year. You've added a winter coat of extra weight, just like a bear, due mainly to the sumptuous foods of the Holiday Season. But, unlike a bear, you can't hibernate for a few months, living off your fat stores, waking up in the spring a svelte size 4. It's time to get to work. And it ain't gonna be easy. But, here's the thing. It can be done. You have to choose to do it.    

The problem with the whole New Year's Resolution thing is the high flame out ratio. Most people are extremely motivated from January 1 until just about January 18. That's when you realize three very obvious detractors. First, after two whole weeks you don't look any different. That's because these things take time. You can't expect to see a lot of visual change in the first couple of weeks. Second, you haven't lost a significant amount of weight. As fat is replaced by muscle, you lose inches without losing weight at first. Be advised, the scale is your enemy for at least a month. Lastly, you are in some pain.   That's because you are literally breaking down muscle tissue as you exercise. It's the regeneration of new, stronger muscle tissue that is the source of your pain. The old "no pain, no gain" mantra of the 70s bodybuilder is an oversimplification of the process. But it rings true.      

Think of your body as an old building in need of repair. If all you want to do is make it look better, slap some paint on it and call it a day. We do that by buying our fat clothes. But if you truly want to make it nicer, then it may be time to renovate. Tear some walls down, add some crown moldings, and refinish the hardwood floors. That's going to take some time and effort.  

And there are no quick fixes or shortcuts, not if you want it done right. The same is true with your fitness plan. There are a plethora of supplements out there that make some pretty bold weight-loss claims. My advice is the same I'd give someone looking for a shortcut to a travel destination. Make sure you know what you're doing. It's a lot safer on the main roads. The health and fitness main road is pretty simple. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of water. Eat low fat proteins like chicken and fish. Limit your consumption of processed sugars, and fried foods. Maintain some sort of physical activity regimen.    

The shortcuts offered are usually fad diets or supplements. Fad diets are appropriately named. Once the public determines the diet is either too strict or unhealthy, the fad fades away. But supplements seem to be here to stay. There are all kinds of fat burners, appetite suppressants, and muscle builders on the market. You should really do your research before choosing one of these babies. Read the labels very carefully.      

Many have organic or pharmaceutical stimulants that can be harmful, depending on your tolerances. Many have high doses of caffeine. The male-specific varieties often have testosterone boosters and amino acids for advanced muscle production. Women should stay away from these unless you don't mind getting compliments on your new lean physique and your goatee. Some female-marketed products have estrogen balancers and high iron and calcium content. The scary ones are the supplements that proudly claim to enhance your mood. That's the last thing I need, a mind-altering diet pill.  

Some claim to calm your nerves, because stress can cause increased fat cell production. A few of these contain forms of pain relievers, such as Vicadin, that can have a mild narcotic effect. Others claim to lift your spirits, boost your energy, and increase your mental performance. These are really popular among the depressed, lazy idiot crowd. But seriously, be careful. They might contain a stimulant like ephedrine, or ma huang. Some ingredients that are supposed to give you that energy boost can also make you feel jittery and anxious. And beware of the crash. Your mood may only be "enhanced" temporarily. Many brief energy highs are followed shortly thereafter by a prolonged low.   

By now, you may be thinking, "Hell, it might be safer to be fat." And it's easy to forget good health is not so much about our physical appearance for vanity's sake. It's really about being fit, whatever that means to you, so you can enjoy life longer. And if liking the way you look makes you feel better about yourself, then that's just another positive by-product of maintaining your health. I know when I'm in great shape. I'm more productive at work and around the house because I have more energy and a heightened sense of purpose. My confidence level soars because I'm pleased with the image I'm presenting. And quite simply, I feel strong. That's an empowering feeling.

Not to mention the increase in sex drive. When you feel good about yourself physically, you don't mind being naked ... a lot. I know there have been times I've caught a glimpse of myself naked in the mirror when I'm not in shape and thought, "Damn, I wouldn't have sex with me." Just the opposite is true when I'm fit. I'd love to have sex with me. Wait, that doesn't...well, you get the point.

Bottom line, it's all about choices. It's great to dream big. It's more practical to dream small, and stack the small successes on top of each other until they become big. Set reachable, short-term goals that lead to your long-term success. It's a lot easier to see the light at the end of a short tunnel.         

Life is one big SCANTRON test. There is more than one correct answer. We can always choose the answer that is most correct for us. The problem is that with choice comes responsibility. If we choose it, whatever it is, it's up to us to make sure it happens. And in most cases, if it doesn't happen, it's our fault. That's the hard-to-swallow part because it's human nature to want to blame someone or something else for our shortcomings. When it comes to our health and fitness, there are so many viable targets for us to place that blame.        

So, which excuse best suits your situation? Is it a.) Not enough time; b.) Work takes precedence; c.) Bad weather; or d.) All of the above? The real answer is e.) None of the above. If we choose to make our health a priority, nothing can stop us from accomplishing our goals. If we find ourselves slacking off, we must refocus and move on. Taking responsibility for our failures helps us ensure they are not repeated. We see it, we acknowledge it, and then we vanquish it. If we pass the blame on to something else, we give our failure another opportunity to reappear. It's a new year. It's a fresh start. Let's see what we can accomplish when we choose to succeed.

Written by Kevin Foster

<<Back