Before we head into the month defined by candlelit desserts and boxes of chocolate, we should probably check in on those New Year’s resolutions...
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No matter where you’re at in your health and wellness journey, it’s safe to assume that you’re probably going to hit some speed bumps along the way. That’s why we’ve partnered with Heineken 0.0 to highlight some common mistakes people make when it comes to their health and wellness goals, particularly a few weeks after the new year.
Regardless of your progress, setting the intention to live a happier and healthier life is a big step. Give yourself a pat on the back and keep on going for it! Here are 5 mistakes everyone makes while maintaining their NYE fitness resolutions.
They change too much, too soon
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We love the spirit of going all in, but if you decide to start waking up early, working out like crazy and eating clean, chances are you’re going to burn out real quick. Instead of changing everything at once, consider making different levels or tiers of goals and spending a few days getting used to each before moving onto the next. Patience is key, but remember, achieving your goals slowly will still take less time than repeatedly starting them from scratch.
They don’t write their goals down
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According to MindTools.com, “the physical act of writing down a goal makes it real and tangible.” It sounds simple, but this can have a profound impact on your progress. Giving your thoughts a physical form will help them feel real and hold you accountable on days when you’re not feeling motivated. Bonus points for making a vision board that gets you fired up to crush your goals everyday!
They don’t strategize
Okay, you want to run a 9 minute mile, that’s great, but… how are you going to do it? Sure, eating clean and working out, that’s obvious, but it’s important to really thing about the how. Setting small targets along the path to your main goal is an incredible way to keep you on course and ensure you’re actually making progress. You can go for a run everyday, but if you aren’t measuring whether you’re building your stamina or running faster, then you don’t really know if you’re working towards your goal. Figure out what you want, and make note of the actual steps you’ll need to take to get there.
They forget why they started
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This is especially true for New Year’s resolutions. Remember, there’s a reason you keep coming back to the same goals. You need no other justification other than that they’re important to YOU. It’s so easy to get weighed down by your goals, so remind yourself that they’re really about making your life easier, not harder. Write down your why, make it your mantra, repeat it everyday and don’t stop until you’re done!
They don’t replace bad habits with GREAT habits
According to Psychology Today, “you can’t just eliminate a habit. It is best to literally and psychologically replace it with a positive habit.” The truth is, if you focus solely on or quitting or breaking habits, instead of replacing them, you’re less likely to actually make a fundamental lifestyle change. So if you love digging into a pint of ice cream every night, look to find a healthier option that you can still enjoy in the same routine way. This will help you move forward, and not fall prey to a sugary sweet relapse every time the weekend rolls around. Speaking of which…
Heineken 0.0 is a new non-alcoholic beer from the world’s favourite brewer. Twice brewed and fermented with Heineken’s unique A-yeast from natural ingredients, Heineken 0.0 achieves a fruity flavour and slight malty notes with only 0.03% alcohol (as much as a ripe piece of fruit) and 69 calories per bottle. This is the perfect way to work towards your goals, while still saying “cheers” along the way.
To learn more, visit heineken.com/ca/Heineken00
