It’s a ‘New Year, New You!’ Congratulations!
Your New Year’s Resolution is Destined to Fail (if you don’t do this one important thing!)
It’s a ‘New Year, New You!’ Congratulations! You are really doing it this time, you’re kickin’ off this new decade with a brand spankin’ healthy body, mind and spirit, and there ain’t nothin’ stopping you… for REAL.
You’ve binged your last supper; drank that bottle of wine and have stocked your fridge with green goodies and products with the most exotic of names and flavors. Your runners are at your door and you just bought a new, super-cute yoga outfit that makes you feel like you’ve already completed an Ironman.
This feeling may be a bit of a de-ja-vu from last year and maybe the year before that… and that. So, what are you missing? Why do most New Year’s resolutions fail?
Toxins! No, I’m not suggesting a liquid diet or weekend spent in close vicinity to your bathroom, I’m talking about support toxins. The number one reason most people fail in their weight-loss or health goal resolutions is from toxic relationships and lack of support.
Detoxing inside and out is more than just looking at yourself, it’s about looking at the people around you contributing to your failure, and you allowing them to do so.
Toxins: The Real Bad Influence, Inside and Out
Toxins act like whiny, needy, attention seeking, moody, irritable addicts within your body. They drive cravings for things like sugar because that’s what toxins and bacteria thrive off.
Imagine you went to the bar or had movie-pig out nights with your friends on a regular basis. They love to drink and buy a bunch of junk food and encourage you to do the same. Then you decide to make a change and improve your health; you don’t drink as much and start buying fruit instead of chips. Your friends start teasing and guilting you saying you’re no fun anymore, and they start taunting you with your favorite ice cream or glass of wine.
Soon enough you get frustrated and have two choices to make - either sabotage your goals and give in or stay true to yourself and decide to stop hanging out with them.
Constantly having to resist temptation and listen to unsupportive comments is the real bad influence, and that is what it’s like having an overload of toxins festering within your body. Usually, it will be hard at first but will get easier as you start to notice that positive influences in your life improve your health and feelings of well-being.
Sometimes, detoxing can make you feel worse in the beginning because you’re not satisfying those fat cells full of toxins needing instant gratification. Withdrawal symptoms will vary in intensity and duration, but it’s important to keep on track with the program, and usually, it’s only the first 3-4 days that are the hardest.
Remove Frenemies
Support is everything when it comes to detox, life changes, and in times of need. Having people in your circle who genuinely care and love you makes all the difference.
A friends-audit can bring on some tough decisions – who is really supporting your journey and who is bringing you down?
If you hear “just one, you used to be fun” or “too bad you can’t eat this, it’s so good” comments and you cannot remove yourself from the situation, remind yourself (and them if you chose) of your ‘why.’ Why is this your New Year’s resolution?
Cleansing the toxic people out of your life will not only improve your health, mental well-being and self-worth, but it will also allow openings for more positive influences.
Instead of allowing yourself to be dragged to the bar, making friends at your local smoothie joint or health club will reinforce positive behavioral changes and keep you on track with your health goals.