Another year is soon coming to a close.  For many of us, we are already looking to the next year with hope and anticipation, some with trepidation.  The end of one year heralds in the urge to plan ahead, dream of what’s to come and formulate our new years’ resolutions.  It is wonderful to have a plan that will bring us to new heights.  But before you rush into the New year, I ask you to take a moment and reflect.

While always looking ahead is a powerful creative tool of human nature, it is equally important to slow our minds and spirits down.  When we are always rushing ahead, life passes us by.  As we are becoming more aware in current times, life is often too short, so don’t rush past the preciousness of time.  Before you plan ahead, take a moment.  Find your favorite spot where you can sit quietly.  Let the bright sun, your favorite music or the wonder of silence wash over and fill you.  Take a few deep breaths.  Look back on the past year.  The accomplishments, new or different experiences, obstacles and hardships.  In all of these moments can be found opportunities for learning and development.  These building blocks of our life experiences, even in the most adverse of situations, gives us strength and shape our spirit.   

Now take a moment and thank yourself for all that you have accomplished and all that you have overcome.  Take a moment to send thanks to those who helped you on your path.  Take a moment to thank those people or circumstances that caused you to alter or reevaluate your path.  Often even those moments that appear like a brick wall before us are there to teach us something.  When we give ourselves and the moments in our lives thanks, we free ourselves from the shackles of regret and oppressive thought.  We relinquish control, and in so doing, free ourselves to experience life more purely.

In this calmer state, we can now look to the future.  Know that anything is possible, and with hard work and focus all is achievable.  When we make our plans or New Year’s resolutions we often form them in parameters that, though possible, are often too abstract to be realistically achieved.  When planning ahead think of your goals in terms of realistic life changes.  Instead of saying ‘I’m going to lose 10 kilos this year’, rephrase it as ‘I’m going to start exercising three times a week’.  If you already exercise but still want to shed some kilos, try to look at how you can vary your exercise routine to facilitate change.  Perhaps your diet needs an overall.  Depriving yourself fully is often not sustainable in the long run.  Look at how you can slowly incorporate it into a new lifestyle model; ‘I’m only going to have one glass of a soft drink a day’ (instead of 3, or 4…).  ‘I’m going to cook my meals at home’ (instead of eating out or buying fast food.)

By making small life alterations that are easily incorporated into our daily routine, we set up a system of change that is achievable and sustainable in the long run.  The small changes will give you results that are lasting and meaningful both to your health and your state of mind. It also minimizes the intense pressure we often put on ourselves with New Year’s resolutions, and thus the likelihood of failure is decreased.  You may only lose 5 kilos, but you will feel more fit, more in control and better prepared to shed the next 5 kilos with as much ease and confidence.  While another year has passed, time is never lost nor forgotten.  Give thanks to who you were and look confidently forward to who you can become.  

We at Hilary Coley Fitness would like to thank our friends, clients and colleagues for a year filled with love, hope and enthusiasm.  We look forward to further supporting you in your life’s journey and wish you all health and happiness in the coming year.