Just A Little Trick

     I hate to admit it but I’m all about the numbers. When it comes to weighing myself, sometimes I do it two or more times a day. It’s not because I’m a masochist who likes to remind myself how much I weigh. Sometimes, I use the scale to see if I’ve eaten too much that day. I use it to see how much weight I lost after a long run or, most often, to make myself feel better. When I know I’ve had a good day in regards to eating and exercising, seeing a low number is like a high.

     But if it’s a high number, it can be depressing. Seeing your number on the scale can be like a smack in the face. Constantly obsessing over a number rather than how I feel or how I look certainly can't be healthy for me. That’s why I’m trying a new tactic: Instead of getting on the scale and seeing how much I weight, I’m going to get on and see how much I want to weigh. I took a little scrap of paper, wrote down my goal weight, and every time I get on the scale, I’m going to put it right over the little screen.

            Is putting my goal weight over my actual weight going to make it magically happen? Probably not. But maybe it will force me to think thin. It will get rid of my obsession with weighing a little more after a big meal and the craving to weigh myself after a hard workout. It'll force me to focus on how thin I feel rather than how thin the scale tells me I am. And, if nothing else, it will make me smile.

Why a New Year Shouldn't Mean a New You

     I'd like to start off by saying that I'm all about resolutions. I'm the first one to write my weekly goal on a bright pink sticky note and stick it on my desk. There's something about physically writing down your goals that makes them more tangible and also holds you more accountable. After all, 45% of Americans take the time to write down their resolutions every New Year. 45% of America has got to be onto something, right?
     But here's my question: why wait until the changing of the calendars to make a change in your own life? Some of the most common New Year's Resolutions from 2012 included losing weight, spending less, and "enjoying life to the fullest." Why wait until January 1st to get started? It's not like after twelve months of chips and candy bars, one magical day is going to make your transition easier. I guess when it comes to a goal like spending less, if you wait until the next calendar year to start pinching pennies, spending less may be a requirement because of your bank balance rather than a lofty goal. And don't wait to start enjoying life: just do it.
     Instead of writing down resolutions once a year, do it once a week. Maybe once a month. Perhaps just write down a resolution whenever one comes to you. After all, individuals who write down their resolutions are ten times more likely to achieve them. When you think of something you want to change about your life or yourself, write it down, post it somewhere visible, and do it. Piling on a ton of goals once a year can be a lot of pressure, but focusing on one step at a time towards a new and improved you will be an easier journey.