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Give Yourself the Gift of Early Resolutions for Christmas!
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Written by Wendy Schweifler edited by Kelsey Turek on 22/12/2011 22:43:00
 
Then I started to remember how uncomfortable I felt before, during, and after
Thanksgiving… and every holiday for that matter. I remember the waistband of
my pants digging into my belly and the legs and butt of my jeans so tight that
the seams were ready to burst at any moment. This was always painful physically
and mentally.
So I changed my thinking and came up with a new plan: What if I started my New
Year’s Resolutions in November—or even December—instead of January? Would
that help with the stress of the holidays and the post-holiday remorse at the
beginning of the year? I think it would be a refreshing way to have a guilt-free
holiday season.
What are the most common resolutions? Usually they are broad and common: lose
weight, reduce your debt, and to exercise more. Everyone’s main focus seems to
be trying to become healthier and wealthier each year.
To accomplish my first resolution of monitoring my weight during the
holidays—I’m not necessarily aiming for losing weight, but maintaining
it—the major obstacle is all of the amazing foods at the parties I will
attend. Some things I plan to do to arm myself against all of the alluring food
and drinks is to:
*    Wear my tightest jeans and I’m not allowed to unbutton until dessert is
finished
*    Bring a big salad and eat salad first
*    Bring fresh veggies for an appetizer
*    Bring fresh fruit for dessert
*    Eat slower (I have to remind myself it is NOT a race)
*    Only take firsts and avoid seconds
The second resolution is to reduce my debt and save more money. This is
something my friend and co-author Viki has mastered, while I am the young
grasshopper. As a Chinese symbol, the grasshopper offers attributes of
longevity, happiness, good health, good luck, wealth, abundance, fertility, and
virtue. I have learned that hope is not a plan and that I need a budget and
can’t wait until January to start one. I know I should have started a LONG
time ago, but better late than never.
To accomplish this goal, I went back to square one and found a debt counselor.
She helps me create a workable plan so I don’t lose all I have worked for.
This will be my third Christmas of giving gifts to ALL of my friends, clients,
and new groovy people I meet.  I give hugs, which I always have plenty to give,
and the gift is reciprocal and re-gift-able! The bonus of free gifts is no huge
January credit card bill or reduced balance of your checking or savings account.
 And in all honesty, I have found that the presents people like best are the
personalized gifts, poems, pictures, and notes that tell them why you think they
are special and love them.
This year, I started my budget at the end of October and even started my check
registry three weeks ago—I feel like such a grown up!
To exercise more is the third most common resolution and one I try to make as
well. This is the most obvious resolution because all of a sudden your gym is
packed during the first week of January. However, by the second week the numbers
are fewer, and by February, I only see the regulars again. I guess the gym laws
kick in—you know them: the “I didn't see results in one week so why keep
going?” and the “Wow, this is a lot of work and I would rather sleep in!”
To make sure I exercise as frequently as possible without falling into those gym
law traps, I try to do the following: barter for weekly personal training; have
my friends call me when they are riding horses, hiking, or biking, and ask me to
join them; and wear my gym clothes to bed, so when the alarm goes off at 5 a.m.,
I am ready to go. The more I try, the more I do!
So why make resolutions in January when NOW! is the best time to start!?
Seriously, why is the first of the year such a perfect day for new goals?
What’s your reason for not starting now? It doesn’t mean you have to
completely give up something… If anything, you’re really gaining more.
Happy Resolution Making!
www.bodenomics.com