HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
I wanted to start the year off with a list of things I am going to try to accomplish in 2008. While putting together the list I started thinking of all my failed resolutions of past. Then I started think of why I failed them. The answer is simple, I made unrealistic resolutions instead of attainable goals. You say the difference is semantics, I say it’s a state of mind.
Let us hold hands with the ghost of New Year’s past and travel to depths of Roni’s memory…
The year is 1999. I just graduated with my Masters degree weighing in at my all time highest weight of 210 pounds. I moved, got a new job and was starting my new life as a working professional. The boyfriend (now the husband) and I were celebrating New Year’s Eve together alone in our new apartment. We snapped a picture of ourselves on our new web cam (man are we gadget whores) and I am devastated by what I see and I say… (yes that is really me 12:30AM Jan 1 2000.)
"THAT’S IT!! It’s New Years and I’m going to lose this weight. I’m never going to eat a carb again. I’m going to wake up every day before work and jog. I’m going to only drink water. I’m going to do 100 sit ups every night before bed."
You know how long that lasted?
1 day.
By the afternoon of the first, I’m hung over and I’m starving. We order pizza and I say, “I’ll start tomorrow. Who actually starts a diet on the 1st anyway?”
Sound at all familiar?
Now let’s return to the New Year’s of present. (I can’t lie this picture was taken on Christmas but it serves my purpose)
The year is 2008. I am embarking on my own business ventures raising my very active toddler and am now married to "the boyfriend". I weigh about 145lbs, 10 pounds more then my all time low of 135 but 65lbs less then my all time high. Now, what do I say today…
"By the end of this year will train to climb that steep incline wall at the gym, I will train e to do one unassisted pull up. To accomplish these goals I will make working out a priority, I will continue to journal and watch my diet, choosing healthy foods that nourish me and my body."
See the difference?
I do.
In the past I put too much pressure on myself and I made resolutions that even if I kept I’d hate doing. Now I know better. Now I set goals and do what works for me to reach those goals. Not only what works for me but what is fun and possible for me to do. It may not seem like a big deal but unrealistic resolutions create a sense of failure when you don’t achieve them. However, realistic goals create a sense of confidence when you do.
Here’s to us achieving all of our goals in 2008. We can do it with a little bit of hard work and patients. I KNOW we can!
19 Responses to Resolutions vs. Goals
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About Roni
Roni started this blog in '05 to journal her weight loss. 70lbs later, she's committed to living a conscious, healthy life and hopes to inspire others along the way. Read more on the about page.
I can’t belive the difference in the pictures, it IS 2 totally different women. That must make you feel great. You’ve come along way and inspire us to make the journey.
Happy New Year to you and your family Roni! I love your blog, and you are an inspiration to me. I’m glad I don’t live where there are smidgens, because “buckeyes” are one of my favorite things in this world, and smidgens sound even better. Have a great party! Maggie-beth
As always, you inspire me! You are right about being realistic in your goals. Seems I’ve always made big resolutions but in reality, when it came to crunch time I was just overwhelmed with my own big expectations! Happy New Year!
Roni…you are amazing and what you are saying makes so much sense. I finally learned that lesson too. I saw a quiz not long ago that asked what you would tell your teenage “self” if you had the opportunity. My first reaction was to say things like exercise every day…do whatever it takes to keep the weight off…and then I realized that even knowing what I know now, I’m not sure I would have behaved any differently. There are some lessons you just have to learn as you go…as painful as they may be. I’m starting on Year 3 of my journey with a lot more knowledge and confidence than I had in December of 2005 and I think this will be my best year yet because of it. Good luck, friend, and Happy New Years.
Thank you sooo much for you site. I stumbled upon it while looking for a way to calculate how many points my husband is allowed and I am motivated by your success. I have been unofficially doing WW since September and lost 20lbs, but the last month has been bad and I’ve gained 7 back. My husband and I are making the new year the year of success. He wants to lose 60 and I have (now) 25 more to go. Thank you, thank you, thank you and best of luck to you!
Happy New Year, Roni!! First of all – WOW – what a difference in those pictures! It’s hard to believe the first one is you!
Second – I need to thank you for so many things. Thanks to your blogs, you have introduced me to so many great food finds and recipes. You have made my weight loss journey this past year so much easier because of the things you’ve shared with us. I’ve lost 54 pounds on WW since March and I couldn’t be happier! You have inspired me so much and I appreciate your honesty when things are not always easy. It’s nice to know I’m not in this alone.
I look forward to more of your great ideas, your videos and your inspiring blogs. I wish you all the best for 2008!
Michele
Thank you for your awesome work Roni! Those pics are so inspirational!! Here is to a great 2008!
THANKS FOR ALL THAT YOU DO. I HAVE LOST 34 LBS SINCE SCHOOL STARTED IN SEPTEMBER WHEN MY 9 YEAR OLD WENT BACK. I come here everyday and make it a part of what I do with eating right and working out 3-5 days a week. I won the biggest loser competition at my gym and I thank you for that(atleast being a part of it). GOOD LUCK IN 2008. I will be here everyday.
Hi Roni,
It’s a brand new year and I am a 45 year old male who just graduated from college. I weigh 270 lbs and I have a strong family history of Diabetes. A co-worker introduced me to your website so here we go!
Thanks,
Bill
Happy New Year…read your blog daily, but don’t comment very often. Your blog is so inspirational for those of us surfing the weight struggle. Thanks for all your efforts. You look great and seem so balanced. Congratulations!
Cheers Roni! The difference between these two pictures are breath taking. You have lost a lot of weight and gained it all back only in the form of wisdom. This was a great inspirational and thought provoking post. May you have a great year!
Anar
The difference between the two pictures is amazing! It’s wonderful that you’ve decided to share the success of your journey to inspire others.
As I wrote on my blog, I’m in the process of clarifying my goals for the new year. But I’ll keep checking back here for ideas and inspiration! Thanks!
Ron,,,,I don’t know what your new business is,,but you are one of the most inspirational people,,I have witnessed..(non clergy)..your story is truely fantastic..The happiness in your eyes in 2008 needs no wordsI can tell you have one fine man supporting this venture..Thank you so much for all you give..You will not know just how I look forward to your stories, recipes and wisdom,,HAPPPY NEW YEAR..You look beautiful,,
Roni
I wanted to say thank you and Happy New Year. I too found you by accident when looking for other WW sites. I found you for a reason that is for sure. You have been an intregal part of me losing 21 lbs since September 23rd, 2007 as I go to your site sometimes 2 or 3 times per day. I share your site with so many people because I think you are an incredible inspiration. I admire your ability to do all that you do. I am so incredibly curious as to what is new for January 08!
Thank you Roni for everything. I really think that you, your knowledge, experience and recipes are incredible.
Here’s to realistic goals for 2008!
Hey Roni,
Just a quick note to say how much I enjoy your sites. I’ve lost 36 pounds with the WW points system. I am happy to say that it’s the first New Year’s Day that I didn’t think “Wow-I really need to lose 30-40 pounds this year!” I am so thankful! Keep up the great work!
Good luck.
Happy New Year! It was awesome not having that heavy thought of a resolution hanging over my head. Now, I just keep the goal to continue on my path and keep my weight down. I have shaved off 20 pounds in less than a year, and I look forward to taking off another 10. Your blog and a few others are a huge inspiration to me! Keep it up!
I’m totally on board! One of my big ones this year is to learn to forgive myself. Why is that so hard sometimes?
[...] is a Resolutions vs. Goals post that my friend Roni made on Jan. 1st 2008. I had the great pleasure of meeting Roni this [...]