Break Down Your New Year’s Barriers

---

The coming of a new year is a time for celebration for people around the world. In differing cultures, it is “the moment” to reflect on one’s shortcomings over the past year and the “welcoming in” of possibilities for self-improvement over the coming months. Though the exact timing and customs vary, the transition into a new year has long been marked by rich traditions.

The earliest recorded resolutions for the new year date back to ancient Babylonian times with their spiritual and agricultural aligning with the new moon following the vernal equinox in honor of the next planting season. For many societies, January 1^st became the start of the new year thanks to the Julian calendar that adopted Egyptian solar-based orbiting of the sun.

While the practice of making New Year's resolutions has shifted beyond strictly religious or cultural contexts, the desire for self-improvement and a "fresh start" became universal. By the early 19th century, the phrase “New Year Resolution” had entered popular use, appearing in an 1813 Boston newspaper. During the 20th century, the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions became a well-established part of modern life and remains an annual hallmark of the season.

Resolutions versus Habits

Correctly setting resolutions can encourage an individual to focus on specific, measurable needs for self-improvement. A habit-based process can help refine priorities and establish renewed aspirations while providing an opportunity to create a fresh start. However, the pressure to set ambitious New Year’s goals can backfire when those goals are too broad or unrealistic, such as overly-aggressive daily workouts at the gym or unrealistic dietary restrictions for the coming year.

Many of the most popular New Year’s resolutions center around a rapid lose of unintended weight gain from overeating and reduced physical activity during the Holidays. However, failing to achieve these unattainable resolutions by the end of the first month can negatively impact one’s self-esteem, self-efficacy and overall health. That’s because it takes concrete actions that align with adopting healthy new habits that can produce sustainable results.

New Year’s resolutions that enhance your existing strengths, rather than attempting to completely transform who you are, can be much more rewarding. Achieving meaningful weight loss goals can boost one’s confidence, reinforce their resilience for the coming months, and increase their ability to tackle bigger challenges going forward. But, you have to pave the way for a more fulfilling and balanced approach to self-improvement.

Incorporate MRC into Your Weight Loss Journey

Weight loss is a common New Year’s goal for many, but the reality is that the most frequent outcome of loosely-proclaimed efforts for shedding pounds isn’t sustainable; instead it leads to weight cycling. This is a dangerous pattern of repeatedly losing and regaining weight that has been linked to poorer health outcomes. For lasting results, it’s essential to take a more comprehensive approach to restoring your health and well-being.

Setting goals to lose significant weight in a short period or aiming to completely overhaul your lifestyle overnight can lead to burnout and frustration. While it’s great to have enthusiasm, setting realistic and actionable goals is key. Moreover, obesity is a medical condition, and like other diseases, it benefits from professional medical guidance and experienced one-on-one support. A holistic approach that incorporates all aspects helps to ensure lasting change.

Effective weight loss also involves preserving lean muscle tissue and avoiding rebound weight gain that is often associated with extreme diets and overly-aggressive gym routines. One of the most effective ways to achieve your weight loss goals is to work with professionals who can provide guidance, support and celebrations. If support is missing, join an experienced provider like Metabolic Research Center, who has promoted healthy ways of living for over 35 years.