Sooo.. another year has passed. Did you achieve what you wanted? Was 2012 a year to smile about or one you'd rather forget? For most people, including me, I'm sure it was a mix, highs and lows, things to remember, things we'd rather forget!
This time of year brings with it a certain magical feeling, a sense that anything is possible. We begin planning all the great things we're going to do, all the amazing changes we are going to see, and the coming year is going to be THE year. And diaries! Does anyone else get REALLY stupidly excited about having a new diary? I do.. all those pages, empty and ready to be filled.. and you use your neatest handwriting, and the same colour pen everyday.. that is, until you get to late February/March when it all goes to pot and you scribble your shopping list and everything in it.
I try really hard not to make new years resolutions. Simply because I go over the top and plan a whole life change basically starting one day to another. Then I inevitably fail and end up feeling awful and dejected. Sooooo, lets do some SMART goals!!
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time Based
Just kidding. That popped in my head because Ive been on 3 courses recently that all had a section on goal setting. I'm fed up of it now! And... British Triathlon actually make it even more fun, because they make it not just SMART, but SMARTER!
Exciting
Recordable
Woo hoo! But, I digress. Yes, resolutions. Number 1 for most people has to be the diet. Slimming clubs, gyms, and fitness classes make a fortune at this time of year. But now is the worst time ever to do it! The resolution 'I will eat more healthily in the new year' actually translates as 'I will eat a lot more crap leading up to new year'. It's one I'd always set. Every December I would decide that January 1st is the day I'm going to stop all sugar, all junk, I will read all labels and not have processed anything, and I will therefore magically transform into an enlightened dietary guru. No wonder I would fail and end up in Dominos by January 8th.
So this year I'm not setting anything. I have plans, things I want to achieve and work towards, but now I realise it is a work in progress, everyday, and I don't expect a personality change from tonight to tomorrow morning.
I feel rather fortunate that I actually enjoy exercise and sport, and don't have to go through the whole 'I will do more exercise' resolution. I do feel sorry for people who have to drag themselves to the gym or a fitness class, just for the sake of it, because they feel they should. They hate every minute of it! And we regular goers have to put up with a January influx of people getting in our way because they said they were going for a 3 hour walk on the treadmill or are chatting to their mates right at the front of the water machine. Until a few weeks later when they gave in to temptation and have a bakewell tart and think now the whole health kick is ruined so they may as well go back to watching tv and buying full fat coke. And inside a little voice is screaming, 'yay, I never liked that diet shit anyway!'
The leisure industries are then rubbing their hands in glee, because that £60 a month gym contract for the next year will only be used when the person pops in for a shower because their heating is broken.
I always tell my friends (who are not sporty at ALL) to find something they enjoy. There no point playing tennis if you get angry and upset because you can't hit the ball. You won't go back. There's no point swimming if you don't like to smell of chlorine and have dry hair. Find something you enjoy, click with, and then do that!
I once read a quote that said 'Go and find what makes you come alive, and then go and do it. Because what the world needs are people who have come alive'.
So as we leave 2012 and a year of sporting excellence and inspiration, go grab that feeling that bubbles up when you run, ride, swim, play tennis, dance, use the treadmill, or drink full fat coke. Whatever floats your boat.
A happy, healthy, and prosperous new year to you all.
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