Don’t buy into the guilt of not keeping your health resolutions

FINALLY, the end of January is in sight. And if the social media posts I’ve seen are anything to go by, people are feeling like January has been at least three months’ long.

In my experience, January is synonymous with two things: the nail-biting anticipation of the first pay day of the year, and the gradual fading of our resolutions to get fit and healthy, take control of our finances – whatever – that we got so excited about at the beginning of the year.

Many of us will feel guilty about not pursuing the promises we made to ourselves and to appease this guilt. We’ll start feeding ourselves lies about why we are bound to fail, or why now is not the time to get started.

Because I believe we all have the ability to reach our health and fitness goals, I’m going to try to debunk some of the lies we tell ourselves, before they become cemented in our psyches.

1. I need to lose some weight before I can start exercising

No. You may need to shed a few kilos before you can tackle high-impact exercises, but there are low-impact exercise routines you can get started with right away. Try swimming or walking, or if you have access to one, cycle on a stationary bicycle.

2. I need to belong to a gym/ have a personal trainer

While it may be useful and often helpful to join a gym or have a personal trainer, it’s not a necessity. I know of many people who waste hundreds of rand every month on gym memberships they never use because they feel intimidated about working out in a gym. Best thing to do is start with what you have. Walk to the shop, play with your children, work in the garden, use the stairs at work.

3. I’ve been exercising but not losing weight, so exercise is “not working”.

Yes, most of us get into exercise because we’d like to lose some weight, but kilos melting away is not the only indicator that the “exercise is working”. Working out has a number of other benefits that you may not immediately notice. So even if you’re not seeing a difference in the number on the scale, your fitness will be improving and there will be positive impacts on, among other things, your blood pressure and mental well-being.

4. I don’t know how to exercise Ask a friend. Go online. Download an app. There are endless free – and paid-for – resources online and all around you.

5. You can’t afford gym wear Okay, we all want to look good, but you know that promotional T-shirt you got in a goodie bag? Or the one you got at work when you volunteered for your company’s CSI project? Wear that to gym. Once you start getting serious about the exercise that works for you, you can start investing in gym wear made of technical fabrics, shoes or tech gadgets. In the beginning, just make sure you’re comfortable.

6. Healthy eating is too expensive Sure, if you’re going to buy protein shakes, every supplement under the sun, foods packaged for specific dietary requirements or be pedantic about only buying free range or organic produce, you’re going to feel the pinch. Build your meals around fresh vegetables and good protein sources, reduce your portion sizes and you’re good to go.

7. What’s the use? I’ll never succeed Do I really need to indulge this? No, and neither should you indulge this kind of negative, self-sabotage. Increase your chances of success by engaging in an activity you enjoy, and finding friends who will do it with you. Join an online support group – or start your own.

For more, or to let me know how it’s going, follow @editedeating on social media.

CHANTEL ERFORT MANUEL