21 Non-Diet New Year’s Resolutions for 2021
This year has been a doozy. A global pandemic, the necessary civil rights movement of our time, the US election, and a Christmas we will never forget. This time of year diet culture (a system of beliefs that values thinness and equates body size with worthiness) ramps up with messages that prey on insecurities surrounding body weight and shape. Things like “make this year the year that you crush your goals and lose that weight”, “lose that quarantine 15!”, and “join our program and see results in 21 days!”. It’s nauseating and makes you start to question your weight, and feed into the fantasy of achieving an ideal body size to appease societal expectations.
When it comes to New Year’s Resolutions, can you guess the resolution at the top of most people’s list? Weight loss/getting in shape.
Personally, I’m not crazy on New Years resolutions because it implies that something you are doing is wrong. That you are broken and need fixing, starting January 1st. But what happens if you don’t meet your goals? Does it confirm that you are broken? You, my friend, are already whole. And sometimes we just need to be reminded of that. These non-diet New Years resolutions are ideas to bring you back to your inherent wholeness as you set intentions for 2021.
Commit to NOT dieting. Diets have a 95%+ failure rate over 5 years. If it feels like a diet, if it’s saying it’s not a diet...it’s probably a diet. I’m looking at you Noom, WW, Isogenix, keto, you get the picture. I will emphasize that I am anti-diet, not anti-dieter. Diet culture is pervasive and has sneaky ways of making us feel in control of our lives when we control our food intake. Sending you so much compassion if you are engaging in dieting behaviours.
Make time for daily self-care. I’m talking the small things like getting ready for work if you work from home. Taking time to check in with how you are feeling throughout the day. Having breakfast. Those 5 deep breaths that you know make you feel better.
Try a new food or cuisine weekly/monthly! Variety is the spice of life! My roommate received a gorgeous cookbook for Christmas called Plenty, which is a collection of vibrant vegetable dishes that I would NEVER think to make. Who knows, you might discover a new flavour that excites your palette.
Practice Gratitude. Gratitude shifts the energy of not-enoughness to abundance and fullness. The simple act of expressing gratitude can instantly reframe your whole day or a challenging moment. Try writing down 3 things you are grateful for each day.
Find a type of movement that brings you joy. Is it dance, yoga, walks with a great podcast? As I write this, Alberta (Canada) is in lockdown, which means gyms, yoga studios, indoor dining, salons, and recreation facilities are closed. 2020 has taught us to get creative with the circumstances we have been given. This could also be a great time to examine your relationship to movement. You could start with “why do I move/exercise?”.
Nourish relationships. This year has reminded us just how important it is to have a support system. Pick up the phone and call a friend you haven’t spoken with in a while. Spend more quality time with your partner. Get to know your coworker better.
Prioritize rest. Rest can look different to everybody. Perhaps it’s improving your sleep hygiene and getting more zzz’s at night. Rest could be dedicated times to unplug and do nothing. Rest could be a restorative yoga class or a midday nap. A friendly reminder that you do not need to be productive every waking second to be worthy.
Meditate. Mindfulness and meditation are evidence-based ways to reduce stress and ease anxiety. I suggest starting with an app like Insight Timer, Calm, or Headspace and start small! I love guided meditations. You could even do some Googling and find some meditation classes happening online in your local community.
Set boundaries and commit to them. If you are someone who is recovering from chronic dieting, setting boundaries with family members/friends who body-bash or talk about their latest diets is imperative to your healing.
Cook more at home. Maybe you aim to bring a lunch to work (or make some lunch) instead of order Skip The Dishes. Keep things simple! It really doesn’t have to be an elaborate meal to be nourishing. Planning meals ahead of time can make this goal come to life!
Learn a new skill or hobby. Plants, crocheting, crafting, making perogies, learn an instrument. Similar to giving up dieting, learning something new can be scary and extremely rewarding.
Read more. I love when I get into a good book, and every time I do, I say to myself “why don’t I do this more?”. If you are looking for a new book that will support you in healing your relationship to food, I highly suggest Intuitive Eating 4th Edition by Elyse Resch and Evelyn Tribole.
Spend less time on your phone. If you watched the Social Dilemma on Netflix this year, I don’t need to say anything more. Something I started doing that reduces my screen time (by a bit) is charge my phone outside of the bedroom. This also supports sleep hygiene.
Go to bed 30 minutes earlier. See above! The silver lining of the pandemic for myself was realizing that I need more than 7.5 hrs (something closer to 9hrs) of sleep per night to feel awesome and energized the next day. I became a bit more strict with myself and a bedtime (this is adulting hey?).
Floss more. I’m sure your dental hygienist would concur. Looking to improve your health without a side of diet culture? Floss!
Work with an affirmation like “I will live with more compassion and enjoyment rather than punishment and guilt”. Becoming an Intuitive Eater is about prioritizing compassion and curiosity over judgement.
Commit to buying clothes that you love and fit your here and now body. Get rid of the clothes that no longer spark joy (thank you Marie Kondo). Feeling good in your clothes supports a better body image and takes the focus off of your body.
Drink more water. Maybe a new vessel will inspire you! Set reminders on your phone. Sip on herbal teas. So many benefits of staying hydrated.
Commit to no longer partaking in body-bashing comments towards yourself and others.
Spend more time in nature. Especially when the daylight is short during the winter. I never regret a day spent outdoors. Mother Nature is grounding and offers perspective to our life’s problems.
Remember that you are human, and will not meet these intentions perfectly, that you will make mistakes and that is all okay. You are allowed to begin again, anytime of the year.
If you are looking for a new way of pursuing health without the restrictive diets and food rules this year, become an Intuitive Eater and schedule your free discovery call today.
