When it comes to making a resolution and sticking to it, some of us are better at it than others. Those who are single-minded and follow through with what they resolve to change in their lives are people whom we respect although usually with a side of annoyance from the rest of us who tend to falter.
We all set out with optimism about the New Year’s resolutions we have made. Day one, it’s full steam ahead with smiles on our faces, whether resolving to get fit, lose weight, improve our diets, etc. The attitude is “We can do this!”
On day two, the enthusiasm is still there, and we push forward, still pleased with ourselves, but there’s an underlying whiff of reluctance to exercise or eat something healthy. Images of burgers and fries while binge-watching Netflix dance before our eyes as we launch into our workouts or plates of steamed veggies.
Then comes day three, and we think, “Yesterday was a workout and salad day. We deserve a break today!” However, those thoughts are countered with determination to successfully achieve our New Year’s resolutions.
For those of us who are not single-minded, by day four, regressive cracks begin to appear in our resolve. It’s time to turn to what may be our greatest influence.
Resistance
The following story is from someone who chooses to remain anonymous but related a combination weight-loss and go-plant-based resolution back in September of 2019. The goal was to lose upwards of 30 pounds by the New Year. In other words, this was a pre-New Year’s resolution.
This individual stressed how using the word “resistance” as a blocker during those “burger-and-fries” moments made the successful difference in sticking to the plan instead of returning to past behavior.
Words are powerful, and for our inspiring friend, resistance paid off. Every time the thought of not having a plant-based meal crossed her mind, the word “resistance” blocked the oh-so-appealing thoughts of fried chicken, potato chips and ice cream.
Plant-based equals weight loss. The other choices equal weight gain. Both are simple equations. The word “resistance” echoed the right choice to help her achieve her resolution. Many fruit-for-breakfast mornings, raw-vegetable lunches and leafy-green-salad dinners fueled her resolutions with exceptional nutrient intake and minimal calories yet satiating meals.
Any time a tempting thought of putting off her workouts—calisthenics and alternate-day, cardio-walking videos—crossed her mind, the word “resistance” told her to ignore the idea of procrastination and start moving. Physical activity advances weight loss.
There were occasional moments when her resolve to resist old habits were threatened by having a bad day or just the normal fluctuating emotions of being a human being. But she maintained resistance to what would work against her. Besides, she just felt so much better sticking to the plan.
By the end of December, she had achieved her desired results. She was over 30 pounds lighter (healthily losing around 8 pounds a month or roughly an average of 2 pounds a week), comfortably fitting into formerly too-tight clothes and liking what she saw in the mirror.
If you look at the uncomplicated ways she changed her diet and exercised regularly, you find a weight-loss plan that works. Her additional nutritional input happened to be daily doses of BarleyLife to supplement her plant-based intake.
And through it all, the magic word was resistance: resist impulses that divert the focus of your resolutions.
There is a sad side to her story, however. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, all the uncertainty and fear involved influenced a relapse. She reverted back to comfort food and reduced her exercise amid the lockdown and the seemingly endless unknowns that disturbed her resolve. The coronavirus beat us all down in 2020.
She resolves to start her program again in 2021 with the knowledge that she got it right in 2019. And she is certain that she would still be on track if the coronavirus hadn’t intervened and thrown a monkey wrench into the machinery of her life as it did to all of us. The point is that the word “resistance” suggestively worked and will work for her again.
Some might find her achievement annoying instead of inspiring, but that is something that may be holding them back from having similar success in going through with their New Year’s resolutions.
Soon the calendar will change to 2021. What’s your word going to be to help you achieve your New Year’s resolutions? Feel free to use resistance.
The AIM Companies 