Many of the New Year's resolutions have already come and gone this year.  The gym is less crowded with all those people so desperate to get back in the best shape of their life.  The fast-food industry barely even had a chance to miss those customers on the hunt for healthier options.  I think we can agree that resolutions, 9 times out of 10, do not work.  

Instead of a New Year's resolution this year, I chose to take the top 5 things that I had already been doing and go deeper into them.  I took 5 things that were working really well with my lifestyle and my desires and elaborated on them.  It is amazing the growth and the goal crushing that I have begun to achieve.  

1.  I stopped saying, "I can't."

Many people don't realize that saying these seemingly harmless words in the place of 'no' can be very damaging to goals and self-esteem.  There is a huge difference between 'can't' and 'no'.  Can't says that you are willing to give up your power and become a victim of whatever it is that you 'can't' do.  On the other hand, when you say, 'no, I don't want to do that', you are making the choice and you in control of that decision.  I don't have time.  I'm too busy.  These all fall under this category too. 

2.  I have stopped caring about what people say about me.

I know that I have probably beaten this topic to death, but not listening to those that are just trying to knock you down is better for your health.  You have to keep in mind that in this world there is balance and that means that everything has an opposite.  You are not going to be everyone's cup of tea.  Some like their tea bitter, overly sweet or with a tad of honey.  We are constantly bombarded by people, advertisements and material objects that make us feel like we are not enough.  Grab your power back and surround yourself with people that ignite your flame instead of exstingush it.  

3.  I have cleaned out my social media.  

Just like the in-person social circles influence our thoughts and actions, so does our social media friends or people we follow.  If you have to constantly feel like you need to just 'scroll by' a person's post, maybe it's time to reevaluate why you have them in that social circle in the first place.  And, if it's because you don't want to hurt their feelings, please reread #2 of this blog post.  

4.  I have found a healthy physical way to expel energy.

I am full throttle all the time so getting rid of extra energy is essential to my health.  If I don't use all my energy every day, I get restless or irritable.  This can be going to the gym, going for a walk or doing yoga.  With a lot of practice and consistency, I go to the gym and do yoga at least once a day.  I have done the weight loss resolution and lost 45 pounds in 2015 while using Herbalife.  Then, within a year, I gained all that weight back plus 10 pounds.  I had to change my mindset about weight loss and its connection on both a mental and physical level.

5.  I reward myself for working hard.

I constantly would downplay my successes.  Failure was a fear that controlled many of my actions.  If I was idle, I wasn't working towards something.  If wasn't working towards something, I was worth nothing.  I have since learned that, after completing a goal or a task, it is mandatory that I take a moment and reward myself.  Honestly, it started by treating myself to ice cream or a huge piece of chocolate cake, but, now, I find that rewarding myself with a new yoga class or laying by the pool for just 5 minutes in the sun is just as rewarding.

Many people think that change is instant and needs to be done all at one time.  This is true for short-term change but isn't for the sustainable change that makes lasting results.  When I got past the things that I saw as obstacles, they started melting away.  Now, I work towards the reward and that is what motivates me.  (And, I'm not saying that chocolate cake can't be a reward.)  If you take a look at what is working right now in your life instead of focusing on what isn't, you would probably be amazed at how short the road is that will lead you to the change you have always wanted to make.

These are just 5 things that I have notably change in my life.  If you have any questions you can always comment below or send me an email.  I would love to hear from you.