I love New Years Resolutions. While many of my friends think they are cliché, and my friends in the fitness/nutrition world joke about how January is “busy season”, I like to view it in a positive light. I like to think that every year, it’s a chance to start over. To turn a new page. It’s a new chance to get it right. And even if you don’t actually do yoga everyday for the next 365 days, even a small effort to be more mindful is a step in the right direction.

My approach to New Year’s resolutions is different than many. It may not work for you, and that is okay. Last year, I made a list of 15 things I wanted to accomplish in 2015. Some of these were goals and plans more than daily rituals (i.e. Become a Dietitian). Regardless, I knew that all of the things on the list would take a conscience effort to achieve, and I knew they would not come easy. I kept these in the forefront of my mind (and saved as a note in my phone) for the duration of the year. Every time I achieved a goal, I added a check mark to it on the list and reviewed what else I wanted to accomplish in the coming months. I thought about these goals so frequently, I was gently reminded on a first date that I am the only one still talking about New Years Resolutions in July. (That was pretty embarrassing. Try to avoid that part happening to you, if at all possible). Regardless, I knew that it mattered to me and that this approach was my best bet at tackling some goals. Now that 2015 has come to an end, I can look back and reflect on my year. Some goals I achieved, and some goals I didn’t, and that’s okay. I still think I had a heluva year, and I am already refining my 2016 resolutions for next year.

In regards to nutrition and fitness goals, remember that New Years resolutions are meant to last all year long. So don’t set yourself up for failure by giving yourself a goal that is so restricting you so much so that you know you will either not accomplish it or you will be miserable trying. Remember: it’s a LIFESTYLE change. Make it a lifestyle choice/resolution. If you typically have ice cream every night after dinner, don’t make a resolution to never eat ice cream this year. Let’s be honest, that would be a tragedy to your tastebuds and happiness and Ben & Jerry’s may go out of business. Instead, make a goal to eat ice cream every other night and have a piece of fruit or yogurt the other evenings. You’ll see the difference in your health and you’ll also enjoy your ice cream even more because it will be a treat and you will be proud of yourself for holding out for it.

Additionally, don’t be discouraged if you stray off track. It’s 365 days, you are bound to stray a little bit. Allowing yourself indulgences every once in a while is so important to maintaining a lifestyle change! Don’t think of things as forbidden foods. Instead, let yourself have a treat once in a while and remember that everything is okay in moderation.

Most importantly, stay positive, and choose things that work for you! You don’t have to wait until the next January 1st to roll around to redefine your goals and resolutions. You can make edit and revise them throughout the whole year to fit your lifestyle and keep you motivated. Now go have fun, you goal diggers! Happy New Year!