5 Body-Positive Resolutions to JUMP-Start Your Year

With New Year's resolution season upon us, I have been deep in thought on my list for 2019..."NEW YEAR, NEW ME", right?

Over the years, somehow my diet has seemed to be on my New Years Resolution list to many times to count.  I'm glad to say this year, I'm resolving NOT to go on any new diets but instead my resolution is for accepting and loving my body right here, right now.  

If you are interested in leaving the weight-loss diets in the rearview mirror, then you may consider one of these 5 body acceptance resolutions that will set you up for a healthier, happier 2019.   They are all on my list!

START WEARING WHAT YOU LOVE
Like most women, you probably have some item of clothing you really want to wear, but you hide it in the back of your closet because fashion advice experts have convinced you it's unflattering for your size or shape.   Over the years in the fashion industry, there is one thing I have learned - it is LESS about your size and shape, and MORE  about your attitude.  If you "own" your look then there is no room for judgement!!  Take a minute to go through your closet to do a cleanse -  purge any items that do not give you excitement.  And then next time you reach for those leather pants, instead of saying " when I lose a few more pounds"...put them on and "own" it/you!  

DO A WEEKLY SELF-COMPASSION MEDITATION
We are harder on ourselves than we are on anyone else, and most of us tend to frame thoughts about ourselves negatively rather than in a positive light. But treating ourselves with judgment, punishment, and shame makes us less motivated to take care of ourselves, not more.  Start flexing your self-compassion muscle at least once a week by searching for “self compassion” meditations on a free app. The goal is to make self-love affirmations (such as "I am worthy" and "I can do this") a reflexive habit.

TRY A NEW ACTIVITY ONCE A MONTH
I am the type of person who is active but wouldn't call myself an athlete.  For example, I have run marathons but would never categorize myself as a runner.  I start to get bored with my exercise, and because of this I need to mix it up.  If you’re not honestly enjoying your workouts, no surprise that it's hard to get motivated. Resolve to try a new activity every month and think outside of the box : climb a mountain, go roller skating, try a HIIT work-out, join a bowling league, attempt goat yoga, explore paddle boarding, and other ways to work out that don't require a gym.  More hikes are on my list for 2019!

CLEANSE YOUR NEWSFEED
You can’t love your body if your newsfeed is full of accounts that make you feel bad for being who your are right now. Even if the person has a great account, it’s not for you if you leave their page feeling worse about your body/yourself. So if you follow an account that makes you doubt your body or your life, they need to go! We all underestimate the impact media has on our unconscious and conscious thoughts, but you won’t notice how much until you change it.

CARE FOR YOR BODY...RIGHT NOW!
​Not five, ten, or 50 pounds from now. Not next year. Not when it feels safer, or easier. Not when you think you finally “deserve it.” Now. You deserve it now.  

Think about it, in less than 365 days, engaging in body positivity genuinely could change your life.