Ah, the new year. The time when everyone’s fitness goals begin anew, health foods greet you front and center at the grocery store, and resolve is at its peak to reach those resolutions.
But only 8% of New Year’s resolutions are actually kept.
Do you struggle with keeping your health resolution every year? The reason might be that you’re going about it all wrong.
Gretchen Rubin lays out an interesting depiction of two different personality types. Moderators are those who need flexibility and don’t live well with strict rules. They are well-served by diet advice such as “nothing is off limits” and “treat yourself once in awhile.” Abstainers are people who need strict regulations. The willpower it takes to not go off the deep end when indulging in a small treat is greater than the willpower it takes to never treat themselves at all. Abstainers are best-served by super-strict meal plans that leave no wiggle room.
When I read this, it took me about 1.5 seconds to figure out which category I belong in. I’m an abstainer. If I’m trying to eat healthy, it’s best for me to completely eliminate certain foods. If I “treat myself” to an Oreo, let’s just say I’ll “treat myself” to at least half the package. And queso? Queso is my gateway drug. I might as well just eat three-quarters of the jar with a spoon and chase it down with a meat lover’s pizza.
I may have a problem. Or maybe I’m just clearly not a moderator.
Because if I were, I’d be able to enjoy a delicious little off-plan treat and be ready to jump right back on that healthy-eating bandwagon after a reasonably-sized portion.
So as you’re working on those resolutions, stop listening to other peoples’ advice and figure out your own personality instead. Do strict rules stress you out and make you hyper-focused on all the things you can’t have? Then you’re a moderator and need a little wiggle room.
Are you ready to dive head-first into a vat of queso after one delicious bite? Then join me in the abstainer camp.
Whichever your personality, make sure you’re working with it and not against it. Because that’s why your resolution always fails.
