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New Year Intentions, not resolutions!

With 2017 just starting and the silly season winding down it’s a time when we often look into our lives to see what we want to change for the upcoming year. Welcome to my rant about setting intentions instead of setting resolutions…

 

Setting Intentions instead of Resolutions

I encourage self-reflection. Change needs to occur for growth to happen.

But I don’t believe in setting a New Year’s Resolutions.

Why?

A resolution is a firm decision to do or not to do something. By definition, it’s an action that solves a problem. Though we mean well when we make resolutions, the term has seriously negative connotations.

Instead of resolutions, I focus on setting a yearly intention because an intention is an aim or a plan. An intention isn’t something you can fail at like a resolution; it’s a process you continually undergo through the entire year.

Remember, our words determine our thought processes, so using a positive word promotes change as beneficial rather than an issue we must fix. You are a work in progress, not a mistake! Be positive with your words and choose to set your New Year’s intentions as a lifestyle to work towards rather than a strict deadline to adhere.

 

Working Towards Your Intentions

Once you have had a think about your intentions, how do you stick to them? Learn the ABC’s of goal setting:

A= Accountability

B = Balance, and

C = Consistency.

These three aspects will help propel you towards reaching your intentions every day in 2017.

 

Accountability

Set your intentions and get an accountability partner. I have a lovely friend that is my accountability buddy called Su-Ann.

Su-Ann runs her own business which is a graphic design studio so we are both solo business owners. Once a week (at the same time each week) we set a time to chat through what we have achieved in the previous week as well as discussing any problems or issues that we are struggling to solve on our own. We follow an agenda and while we keep it quite informal we still have a basic structure to follow.

It works really well for us and it helps me to keep on track of what I have said I wanted to achieve.

An accountability partner is someone who is positive and encouraging towards your intentions. They will gently speak when you need a bit of encouragement or they will firmly move you when you need a bigger push. This person will remind you of your intentions and persuade, encourage, and love you as your work towards them.

 

Balance

Nothing in life can happen without balance but it is a really hard thing to master. I don’t feel like I really have it under control most of the time but I do try…

You may fall off the wagon once (or a few times), but the biggest thing to remember is that doesn’t mean you failed. You’ll have great weeks and terrible weeks. The key to realising your intentions is understanding that balance is what makes everything equal.

Try your best to set intentions that allow some space for you to breathe and for you to achieve the mindset that you need for that lifestyle. I know this is a tough one when you are a mum but if you do need a bit of time out to breath and your partner or a family member will support you, make sure you take them up on that.

 

Consistency

Without a doubt, the aspect of consistency is the most important in goal-setting. For change to occur, it must have time and opportunity. The only way for your intentions to truly come to life is with consistency in giving yourself the time to change and the opportunity to change.

Don’t just set it and forget it! An intention is a process that you schedule into your life until it becomes a routine that you look forward to doing.

As an example one of my 2017 goals is to read more, I am going to be consistent with reading because I have set up a mini book club with one of my besties. Once a month we are going to buy a book for each other and then at the end of the month we are going to go out to dinner and discuss the book.

Sounds completely nerdy I know BUT the way I see it is that (A) I get to read more, which is working towards achieving a goal (B) My friend will keep me accountable because we are both working to the same timeframe and (C) I get to spend time with one of my best friends – WIN WIN WIN I say 🙂

I’d love to know what are your intentions for 2017? Let me know in the comments below and let’s work together on making them happen and feeling fantastic about the year ahead.

 

Love Karen

x

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The Christmas Survival Guide – For Mums

As Christmas Carols take over the airwaves, families travel all over the world to enjoy the most wonderful time of the year together. But for fitness mums, it can be a bit tricky to let go and enjoy the festivities…

We must attend (multiple!) parties and host dinners. We buy and wrap all the presents. And somehow, we still maintain a functional life, even if travelling to our Christmas destination. So how does a mum do it all? The keyword is balance.

Here is your guide to stay on track with your fit, healthy lifestyle during Christmas.

Attending a party: Just because you’re invited doesn’t mean your attendance is mandatory. Choose the parties you really want to go to; it’s your holiday after all. Fewer parties mean decreased stress of prepping outfits, finding babysitters and gifts, and over-indulging.

Hosting a party: Keep your stress levels down as much as possible. Remember, a party should be fun. Provide low-calorie beverages (the other fit mums will thank you too!) and healthy food options alongside the yummy, naughty snacks.

Buying presents: Gift cards. The recipient will be happy when it’s paired with a handwritten card and a decent amount to a favorite store. People will also thank you for not having to feel guilty for re-gifting a well-intentioned, but unnecessary present.

Wrapping presents: If you know the perfect something to buy but can’t wrap, get someone else to do it for you. Many stores have gift wrap options. Some even have charity wrappers so you can donate to a worthy cause while not struggling over an odd-shaped present. And if all else fails, just bag it.

Working out: You may not fit your regular workouts in and you may not even get to the gym some days. It’s okay! You’re probably still keeping active with last minute shopping and chasing around your children. If relatives offer to babysit, accept their offer! Unwind with a walk or run, even if you’ve missed a few days. Your body will thank you for having a break from the holiday chaos.

Travelling: Pack minimally. You will save on baggage fees and headaches as you haul smaller suitcases to your destination. It’s also an excuse to buy new clothes if you do end up short on items. Remember that not everything will happen on schedule, so have toys or games for your kids if your plans are delayed or derailed. Happy children mean less stress for parents.

Make This Christmas All About Balance

It’s okay to get out of your fitness and health routine a little during the holidays. Don’t beat yourself up! Not every day will be a perfect food day or a day where you exercised for an hour. It’s all about balance. Treat yourself kindly when you indulge in a sweet by going on a walk that evening. Take the kids to the park and have a bit of fun with them. If you have a cocktail, enjoy it.

My biggest advice is to stay active when you have the time and eat healthy when you can – simple.

Lots of love

Karen

xxx

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