Resolutions...

I have a few strong thoughts about resolutions. Especially in regards to fitness resolutions. When I worked in the gym I always hated January. People are ready to tackle their weight/fitness goals. The gym is super packed with people who just seem to be walking around acting like their doing something in their brand new white shoes. Everyone is strict on their diets passing on sweets, soda, and fast food. This soon wears off after a week...two...three weeks. Then soon the thought of, "Crap I'm doing bad so I'll just try again next week or on Monday." This cycle soon turns back into the "I've failed category b/c I can't stick with my resolution so why even bother trying?" Whey does society set themselves up for failure such as this I ask myself?

Here are a few resolutions (even just plain fitness goals) I hear all the time that I hate:

1. I'm cutting out sweets
2. I'm going to work out for an hour every day
3. I have to lose 20 pounds by such and such date
4. I need to lose weight so I can be skinny then more boys will ask me out

I could go on and on, but the reason why I hate these resolutions in particular is they are shallow and based on stupid expectations.

*1. No one can cut out sweets forever. This is impossible. You're setting yourself up for failure which in turn will lead you back to your mindset of "Whatever. I'll just eat what I want." I say allow yourself everything in moderation. It's amazing by allowing yourself treats, sweets, even sugar that you'll naturally stop craving it.
*2. Same goes for the second one. Don't put so much pressure on yourself. If you're going from not working out at all to working out everyday this is too much. Even if you're regularly working out maybe you won't always have time to get in an hour. I'd change this resolution to I'm going to be physically active in some way every day. Even if it ends up being a walk, doing push ups and sit ups during commercials, throwing in a quick workout video.
*3. While I like setting goals and working towards them I'm more for finding a healthy body weight to strive for and giving yourself a few pounds to work with. For example shoot for 150-155 pounds. Also get there in a healthy way. You can't lose 10 pounds in two weeks. Shoot for 1-2 pounds per week and if some weeks you don't drop weight you just keep working. By setting a specific goal and not reaching it by that date I've found most people more often then not just give up and then go back to their old habits.
*4. I really don't have to say much about why this is a bad goal. It's sad how often I've heard this from my female clients. If you're going to lose weight and get healthy do it for yourself not for guys. Any guy who only dates you b/c you're skinny isn't the guy you want to be with.

So there you have it a few of my thoughts. Have you set resolutions/goals like the one's I hate? If so sorry if I've offended you. These are just my thoughts and opinions based on what I've seen time and time again. Maybe reconsider how/why you're going about your resolutions and tweaking them just a bit. The real goal is making resolutions a lifestyle change and that's all I'm trying to convey. Try and honestly challenge your goal to see if it's lifestyle change worthy. If it's not figure out how to make it so it is.