Happy New Year! I believe I speak for all of humanity when I say “Good riddance to 2020!”
With a new year often comes new opportunities, new challenges, and New Year’s resolutions. For each new year, most everyone feels compelled to make resolutions, a lot of which involves getting into shape, getting into a gym, eating better, and fitting into our favorite old pair of jeans, which have mysteriously shrunk over the years!
When it comes to resolutions, I’m a proponent of keeping them to myself. That way there’s no embarrassment if I fail or falter. And if I do keep them, the results will speak for themselves. In addition to the rewards of feeling great, having more energy and looking good, it never hurts to have someone compliment you; someone who noticed the fruits of your labors.
You don’t have to make a grandiose gesture or announcement of your resolution. You, too, can keep them to yourself… like Beyonce (yeah, that Beyonce).
“When I set personal goals, I keep them just that: personal,” said Beyonce in a recent interview. “I don’t discuss business projects with family or close friends, and when it comes to stuff closer to the heart (like dropping a few pounds or saving more money), I tell no one.”
It turns out, Beyonce may be on to something researchers have known for decades.
Tests done since 1933 show that people who talk about their intentions are less likely to make them happen. In an article published by Lifehacker.com, four different tests of 63 people found that those who kept their intentions private were more likely to achieve them than those who made them public and were acknowledged by others.
Why? Because once you’ve told people of your intentions, it gives you a “premature sense of completeness.”
It seems that communicating your goals actually tricks the brain into thinking you’ve already achieved them (Ohhhh, so that’s why I feel so good, even though I never walked the Serengeti, backpacked through Europe, or recited Pi to the 100th digit, though I did walk to the mailbox, bought a backpack at Big 5 and ate a slice of pecan pie… OK, two slices).
Sharing your plan makes you less likely to put in the work necessary to achieve it, even when the people you tell are ive. However, when we strive to impress ourselves first, our results tend to improve.
This year, resist the urge to announce your plans. If you do tell a close friend, make sure not to say it as a satisfaction (“I’ve ed a gym and bought running shoes. I’m going to do it!”), but as a dissatisfaction (“I want to lose 20 pounds, so kick my butt if I don’t, OK?”).
So, it’s 2021, we don’t have flying cars or regular trips to the moon (although we’re getting close!), but we do have yet another opportunity to better ourselves. If, for you, that means exercising and eating right, I have some good news.
You don’t need to go out and a gym — though you certainly can. However, there are plenty of ways to achieve improved fitness. I call them unintended fitness activities, and they include activities such as gardening, shopping, running errands, yard work, housework, etc.
Did you know that, according to the American Council on Exercise, a 150-pound person will burn about 228 calories running a 5K (3.1 miles)? If you choose to walk the 5K (that’s more my style), you’ll burn approximately 186 calories.
Now, if you’re like me, the idea of running or walking a 5K holds almost zero appeal. Nope, not me, I am just not a runner. In fact, you’ll catch me yawning after driving 3.1 miles. But there are ways — those unintended fitness activities — to burn some decent calories.
Mopping and/or sweeping your floor can burn about 156 calories/hour; Cleaning the bathroom burns 360 calories/hour; Vacuuming burns 170 calories/hour (I should vacuum the bathroom!).
If you head outside, mowing the lawn will burn roughly 325 calories/hour, while light gardening yields a burn of about 250 calories/hour.
Also, bodyweight workouts — no equipment necessary, which is good because everything is sold out — can bring about significant fitness results.
Through stretching and bodyweight workouts that include exercises like jumping rope, push-ups, crunches, planks and burpees, you can easily work on your strength, cardiovascular fitness, and improve your flexibility — all from the comfort and convenience of your own (mopped and vacuumed) home.
OK everyone, hold up your protein shakes. “Cheers and Happy New Year!”
If you enjoyed reading this, then please visit www.HarryKFitness.com where you can find more fitness information, my free fitness e-book, and check out the Healthy Recipe of the Week: Cocoa-Spiced Beef Tenderloin with Pineapple Salsa.
Have a fitness question? Send them to me, Your Personal Trainer, at [email protected] and write ‘Ramona Sentinel’ in the subject line.
