6 Goals I Will Achieve Before New Year’s Eve (And You Should Too)

Sep 28

Introduction

Only 95 days until New Year’s Day! While you’re depressed to think about snow, I’m excited to start on my New Year’s Resolutions. Why not start now? It takes time to rewrite processes, retrain my body and mind, and make the appropriate environmental changes. While my life is lovely (and very blessed), here is my early list of resolutions I will achieve by the start of an epic new year.

List of Goals

PHYSICAL GOAL: TRAIN MY LEFT SIDE TO HANDLE DAILY ACTIVITIES MORE COMFORTABLY AND EFFICIENTLY.
Ironically, I’m complaining about favoring my right side (i.e., hand and leg), and I’m a personal trainer. Your reply may be, “Why haven’t you fixed it already, Mr. Personal Trainer?” (a fair response). Like most people, though, even when you know what you need to do for yourself, you don’t necessarily do it. I preach perfect posture and a symmetrical approach to life. However, at times I still succumb to laziness while watching a movie on the couch or holding my newborn son in the same arm over, over, over, over, and over again. Yes, I’m extremely mindful of my physical approach, but I can’t help depending on the right side of my body (which I’ve done for the last 38 years). As a result, I can’t efficiently handle daily movements with my left side, such as brushing my teeth (try it and poke your eye out) and eating with a fork (if the food reaches my mouth 50% of the time, that’s success).

No more!!! The right side of my body needs a break! I’m determined to train the left side of my body to be more functional and will consider it a first option for various movements!
PHYSICAL GOAL: PERFORM 30 CONSECUTIVE PULLUPS.
Pullups are one of the best (and most challenging) exercises for the upper body. You utilize your lats, traps, shoulders, bis, tris, abs, and more! While I consistently perform 15-20 reps, I’ve never pushed for more…until now!
NUTRITION GOAL: MAKE 85% OF MY DIET BASED ON PLANT-BASED FOODS (LIMITING DAIRY, GRAINS, MEAT, PROCESSED FOODS, ETC.).
At one time, I said, “I will become vegan when I turn 50 to reduce the risk of injury and disease and to protect my health for the last 50 years of my life :).” Why not start now, though? If you’re like me, you grew up on meat, potatoes, pasta, and donuts (or something similar). Although you’ve gotten away with it until now, careless eating will catch up to you. I don’t want to wait around to see what the wheel of disease will serve me in a decade. While my diet is already far better than the general public (and personal trainers), it isn’t the perfect combination. An anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense diet is undoubtedly the best way to keep me lean and fit while describing my college years to my grandchildren. Of course, this approach requires significantly modifying grain, dairy, alcohol, meat, refined sugar, and processed food intake…which I’m willing to do 85% of the way. My wife and I love to eat at restaurants and want to allow some flexibility for indulgences. I’ve already tested several plant combinations and found this is easier (and cheaper) than it sounds. It's time for a bigger step!
SCHEDULE GOAL: LIMIT MY ADMINISTRATIVE WORK TO THE WEEKDAYS.
I stopped training and working on administrative tasks over the weekend for the last five years. It’s incredible what a difference a two-day mental break makes! Luckily, I look forward to my job every day. So, it’s not easy to stop working. I would still work over the weekend if given the opportunity. Knowing myself, though, I realize how easy it is to burn out if I don’t pull myself away. Instead, I work 55-60 hours during the week and don’t think twice about it.

Now that my son, Preston, has been born, I must rethink my approach. I realize that the perfect, efficient system I created nearly five years ago doesn’t apply as well when I add a new time commitment (aka parenting).
Work has been spilling into my weekends, and I still approach Monday with a shortlist. With this new focus, I will analyze my time commitment to every facet of life, including my client's schedule, workouts, morning routine, laundry, and every task that requires attention. I will reshuffle these pieces to efficiently approach everything during the week (not on the weekend). What can I multitask? What isn’t a priority? What can I outsource? All these questions will undoubtedly place me closer to another effective schedule solution.
LIFESTYLE GOAL: ARRIVE 3 MINUTES EARLY.
I usually fit 3 million tasks into a minute to maximize my time. That said, I typically prefer to arrive early rather than wait. The consequence: I’m always tiptoeing the line of being on time, and my stress levels increase tenfold while in a rush. The underlying goal in every line item above is related to reducing stress, and it’s no different here. If you’re constantly cutting it close, you’re most likely continually pushing the boundaries of safety and stress to arrive on time (i.e., speeding, cutting off people, running through stop signs, etc.).

Since the root of this behavior is the fear of wasting time, I will keep a running task list of things I can achieve from my phone. I will always have access to fun-filled business activities no matter where I go or how early I arrive—no time wasted anymore!
LIFESTYLE GOAL: DON’T CHECK MY PHONE WHILE DRIVING.
While I have minimized the time on my phone while driving, I still find myself fooling around with the GPS. Of course, when checking the GPS, I can often be distracted by a new text message, too. Ultimately, this behavior is risky and places me and everyone else on the road in danger (even if I only glance for one second). I will set the GPS and check my messages before I put the car in “Drive” or pull over if absolutely necessary.

What habits do you want to change? What goals will you achieve by New Year’s Eve?

Photo Credit:
The Balance .com–Should we wait until December 31st to start our celebration?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: MICHAEL MOODY, PERSONAL TRAINER

As an author, a personal trainer in Denver, and podcast host, Michael Moody has helped personal training clients achieve new fitness heights and incredible weight loss transformations since 2005. He also produces the wellness podcast "The Elements of Being" and has been featured on NBC, WGN Radio, and PBS.

Michael offers personal training to Denver residents who want to meet at the 2460 W 26th Ave studio….or in their homes throughout LoHi (80206), LoDo (80202), RiNo (80216), Washington Park (80209), Cherry Creek (80206, 80209, 80243, 80246, 80231), and Highlands (80202, 80211, 80212). Michael also offers experiences with a personal trainer in Jefferson Park (80211) and Sloan's Lake (80204, 80212).

If you’re looking for a personal trainer who can curate a sustainable (and adaptable) routine based on your needs and wants, Michael is the experienced practitioner you’ve been looking for. Try personal training for a month…your body will thank you!