DON'T GO ON A DIET IN 2020! 10 ALTERNATIVE NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS (03.01.2020)

by Dr. Lauren Muhlheim , author of When Your Teen Has an Eating Disorder (Dr. Muhlheim , ' When your teen has an eating disorder ...')

I am skeptical of New Year's resolutions in general because I think they encourage an all-or-nothing mentality (I would hate to classify entire years as good or bad for this reason). I don't feel like you need to wait until the year resets to change your life. I am anti-diet and fear the increased obsession with dieting and weight loss that comes with January 1st.

So I thought I'd offer some alternatives to weight loss goals this year as possible solutions for those making plans for 2020.

  1. Make a decision to learn a new skill . If you've always wanted to learn how to rock climb, play the piano, make dumplings, or cross-stitch, now is the time to do it.
  2. Make a commitment to improving your relationship with one person . Whether it's getting to know a coworker better, spending more time with your spouse, or reconnecting with a childhood friend, do it in 2020.
  3. Promise to stop making self-deprecating comments about your appearance . These negative body comments, often made among friends, make everyone feel worse about themselves. Avoid saying things like: "My thighs look too big," "I hate my double chin," "Does this make me look fat?" "I need to lose weight."
  4. Make a commitment not to "diet." Instead, focus on eating intuitively according to your own tastes, based on your hunger and fullness. Your amazing body will regulate itself if you let it.
  5. Listen to a body positive podcast. Improving your body image will make you feel better than dieting.
  6. Spend more time in nature . Research shows that spending time in nature improves mental health. Go on a monthly hike, plan a visit to a national park, or just spend time outside in your area.
  7. Volunteer ! So many organizations need volunteers, and there are so many important causes. You can volunteer your time to help animals, preserve the environment, or improve literacy. Volunteering has health benefits and can boost your self-esteem.
  8. Create something. Paint or draw, embroider, create collages, write a story or a song. Art is a great way to express your feelings, and the creative process itself can boost your mood and self-esteem.
  9. Expand your culinary repertoire . No matter your abilities, there is always room for growth. Learn a new technique, a dish, try new recipes. Cooking will increase your enjoyment of food and can help with mindful eating.
  10. Don't make New Year's resolutions at all . After all, the transition from 2019 to 2020 is just a social construct - it doesn't affect your self-esteem or any progress in your life.

Translation by Marina Fateeva, specially for http://ed-ua.com /

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