New Year Diet or New Year Purpose?
A memorable lesson from a wise professor has always guided me: “Before you do a thing, establish why you are doing it.” This anchoring principle has provided clarity and motivation, especially during pivotal times. As the new year unfolds, many of us consider resolutions like weight loss, dieting, or cutting out certain foods. However, before stepping onto these paths, pause and ask yourself, “Why? What is my true purpose?” Often, you’ll find that your true purpose extends beyond any specific goal or number on the scale. It calls for a more profound exploration and dedicated time for self-reflection. As the new year unfolds, many of us consider resolutions like starting a New Year's diet, focusing on weight loss, or cutting out certain foods. Understanding our “why” can be a powerful compass.
Reflective Considerations to Find Your ‘Why’
Understanding Values vs. Goals
Goals are tangible things you can tick off a list, but values are things that continually grow from what you nurture. Values represent ongoing processes and growth, not just outcomes. Aligning your actions with your values can provide lasting motivation and grounding. For example, if you value learning, you may decide to take a cooking class. Or if you value fun, maybe you schedule a lunch with a friend on a regular basis. Consider taking a values assessment to find out what are your most important values.
2. Examining Your Motivation
Before committing to a new year diet, ask yourself: Is your driving force rooted in control and criticism, or does it stem from care and compassion? Reflect on which approach resonates with you.
3. Assessing Your Bandwidth
Your time, energy, attention, and finances are precious resources. How you spend them is your choice and a reflection of your priorities. Embarking on a New Year diet can consume significant resources. Consider if this aligns with how you want to allocate your time and energy. Perform a bandwidth audit: Draw two pie charts. Divide the first pie chart into segments representing how you spend your personal resources (time, energy, money, etc.) In the second pie chart, distribute these resources (time, energy, money, etc.) in a way that would be ideal. What do you notice? What changes would you like to make that are aligned with your values?
4. Learning From Your Journey of Past New years Diets
Use your experience as your wisest teacher. As you look back at previous years and attempts to lose weight, what stands out? What do you notice? Where have you been? Where would you like to go? Download & try our body image timeline activity to get started.
5. Working Within Your 5-Foot Radius
Weight is an outcome that is difficult, if not impossible, to control.
What if you focused on daily actionable steps within your reach? What are some things that you can do in a day to care for and nourish yourself? What activities can you do that enhance rather than deplete and bring you joy and fulfillment?
Lastly, as you take time to ponder, instead of thinking of the next 30 days, could you zoom out and think of the next 30 years? What legacy do you wish to leave behind?
Before you do a thing, establish why you are doing it.
This new year, my wish for you is that you choose care and compassion and surround your efforts related to food, eating, and movement with the definition of nourishment: to support the development of your truest self.
Happy New Year from the team at CV Wellbeing!
Ready to move beyond the traditional new year diet and explore a more personalized approach to your nutrition and health? Contact our expert dietitians at CV Wellbeing for a consultation that focuses on your unique health needs. Discover more about our services here.