by CC Thomas ’24

With the new year arrives new resolutions, yet this tradition often demonstrates some concerning behaviors among those who choose to partake in it. The idea of the new year resolution is to encourage self-improvement in the coming year by making promises to oneself to change behaviors, habits, or any other un-appealing attributes. However, this tradition becomes dangerous when the goal chosen is extreme, or sometimes even unrealistic.

In 2023, 37 percent of people in a Forbes Health poll reported losing weight was part of their New Year’s resolution. In addition to that, 72 percent of people reported having a goal involving diet and body changes for 2024. Many of these goals, if regulated correctly, can be beneficial to a healthy life but without proper knowledge on diets and fitness routines, these goals become harmful. For example: setting a goal of 20-pound weight loss in a short period of time, or adapting to a ridiculous fad diet at the drop of a hat.

New Year’s resolutions are designed to motivate participants by confining the goal within the next year. People wake up on January 1, with an end goal in their sights, and the excitement of the new year encourages them to hit their new practices hard. Ever notice an increased number of joggers on the streets in early January? Or an influx of gym-goers in the first weeks of the new year? “Right now, the gym is very crowded,” remarks Jen A. Miller, an avid runner and author for the New York Times, in response to the new year. She gives advice to regulars at the gym on how to deal with these crowds, but then promises that the crowds will soon subside as the hype from the new year decreases.

Going all in from the get go, like many choose to do to start their resolutions, is not healthy. When it comes to diet, fitness, and appearance, changes do not happen overnight. Then those who start out aggressively on their resolutions often become discouraged, and lose their goal. An especially ironic response to this is national New Year’s Resolution Recommitment Day which falls on June 1. Giving up on resolutions has become such a common thread that many recognize a formal day to try again at the chosen goal.

So what is the secret to not giving up on resolutions that involve fitness, diet, or weight loss? “Make sure that any changes you undertake in the pursuit of weight loss are behaviors you can realistically continue long-term” is the advice Alissa Palladino, a dietitian and nutritionist, gives for maintaining difficult resolutions. Making a schedule, and doing research into what exercises and/or diet is correct for you before beginning the new year is also important as everyone’s body is different. What works well for one person may not be correct for someone else, and must be kept in mind when choosing goals for the new year.

By making a schedule for these new habits and behaviors, the path to the goal is visualized, and this avoids starting extreme actions in lieu of a goal. This way, a plan can be made on how to achieve over time, instead of being discouraged in a week after seeing no results. With this, success is possible and not dangerous.