Cheers to Consistency

Is it January, or is it June? Mother Nature doesn’t have it quite figured out; these warm temperatures have everyone embracing their spring wardrobe while enjoying the great outdoors. Here’s one sure sign of the season: We’re talking about health and wellness this month, as we do at the start of every new year. It’s almost as if we all go to pot when summer ends, and by January we need to get it together with new resolutions. 

Unfortunately, those resolutions never quite stick. Why is it so difficult to find a fitness path that works year-round—not part of the year, not for a month or two, but all year long? What makes us start strong and then tank, only to have to start from the beginning, over and over again?

I find that putting too many restrictions on myself never really works in the long run. Minor adjustments made throughout the year seem to be more realistic, with better-staying power. Here’s a good rule of thumb: Any fitness program that contains the word crash is doomed to fail, although what does ring true is the “crash” at the end when you haven’t been able to keep up with the restrictions. We’ve all danced around the rosemary bush plenty of times, trying to find what works for us.

If you’ve found the magic grail, shout it out! If you haven’t, read our feature article, “Health in the New Year,” for guidance. It shares some encouraging news, including the fact that some good has occurred from Covid. From telemedicine to virtual coaching, the art of caring for ourselves has morphed into lasting technological advances. Now there are more ways than ever to get involved in communities of like-minded people all wanting similar outcomes.

Virtual exercise classes are the trend right now, and I cannot live without them. My favorite thing is logging on at 9:30 a.m. and seeing other gym members onscreen, sweating together while the instructor gives us a shout-out! I love it so much that I have no aspirations of going back in person—there’s just no need. When I can squeeze in my workout without worrying about traffic, not only do I feel more productive, but I love that I’m not wasting time traveling. Even if you’re not into group workouts, there is an abundance of meditation, fitness and healthful-eating apps to keep you in balance. We have no excuse not to stay healthy.

Maybe it’s time to toss the word resolution from our vocabulary and think about being consistent instead. As they say, slow and steady wins the race. The more consistent we are, the more new beginnings we can experience. I, for one, am going to approach the new year with a broader lens, an open mind, and maybe a few more enjoyable calories!

Happy 2022!

Cyrece and Michael