As it’s now February, it’s pretty safe to assume that whatever promises you made while you were drunkenly counting down the clock on New Year’s Eve have now been officially broken. However, the problem may not be your motivation or willpower wellness – or lack thereof – but rather the fact that you made silly resolutions that were never going to benefit your fitness or wellbeing in the first place. Let’s take a look at some of the stupid resolutions people make, so that you can make better choices next year.
1. I Will Not Count Calories This Year: According to James A. Peterson, PhD, FACSM, former professor of physical education at the United StatesMilitaryAcademy, ‘In reality, calories do count – all calories. As such, 1,000 calories of a particular foodstuff is 1,000 calories, regardless of whether it’s celery or cherry pie. The key to maintaining your weight is to consume a nutritionally balanced diet (i.e., adhere to the guidelines underlying the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s food pyramid) and to expend at least as many calories as you consume (more if you want to lose unwanted pounds).’
2. I Will Exercise Based on How I Feel Rather than Science: ‘Although people often have a sixth sense concerning what is best for them, such feelings are typically nothing more than hunches,’ says Peterson. ‘The underlying basis of science, on the other hand, is a systematic process that is designed to discover and document the truth.’
3. I Will Develop Big Muscles: Peterson warns, ‘Unless you’re in the relatively small minority of individuals who have the genetic makeup to noticeably increase the size of their muscles, you have very little chance of developing large muscles. In fact, most people cannot achieve a substantial degree of muscular hypertrophy, absent the ill-advised consumption of pills, powders, or potions designed to otherwise circumvent natural physiological capabilities.’
4. I Will Try [Insert Celebrity Name Here]’s Exercise Programme: ‘Truth be known, most celebrities are not particularly knowledgeable about health and fitness,’ Peterson asserts. ‘Far too often, their seemingly intemperate efforts to pitch various exercise products and diets on television are grounded in their celebrity-driven ability to influence and exploit a public that is looking for the next “miracle” health-related fad or gimmick.’
5. I Will Accept the Fact that I Am Too Old to Start Exercising: Peterson urges, ‘With rare exceptions, no one is ever too old to engage in an exercise regimen. In fact, the bountiful benefits of purposeful physical activity can and should be enjoyed by individuals of all ages.’
6. I Will Find a Quick and Easy Way to Get Fit: ‘As a point of fact, the principles of exercise prescription that underline a sound physical activity programme are very straightforward,’ Peterson points out. ‘Relatively speaking, most people will discover that getting in shape is neither quick nor easy. More often than not, it takes both time and a resolute commitment to do whatever it takes to form new healthy habits and reverse the effects of a sedentary lifestyle.’
7. I Will Only Do Exercises that I am Good At: Peterson admits, ‘It is human nature for individuals to focus on those aspects of physical fitness in which they do well. This tendency often encourages individuals to avoid engaging in strength training, given that this particular mode of exercise is often somewhat intimidating to many people. In reality, your muscles are critical to optimal physical function and should be addressed by your exercise efforts.’
8. I Will Compete and Compare My Exercise Efforts with Others: ‘Exercise is not a contest,’ Peterson asserts. ‘No demonstrable benefit is achieved when you compare your workout efforts with those of other individuals. Because the primary focus of your exercise endeavours should be to “make you a better you,” your underlying objective in this regard should be to see how your current efforts measure up to your ongoing level of performance and your ultimate exercise goals.’