WARNING! Goal setting does not work for everyone

It's 2017 and it's been a long time since I've posted a new blog article.

But, this year is no different, the New Year hullabaloo irritates me.

So I've gotta speak. This is just my opinion. Take it or leave it.

I HATE SETTING GOALS FOR THE NEW YEAR!

There. I said it. I've admitted it. Not only do I think they're ridiculous (New Year's Resolutions - ick!) but they're a surefire way to make us feel awful about ourselves and lose all hope.

Why? You ask. I'm thinking about the future and how I want to make myself the best me I can be for 2017, how is that bad? You wonder.

You're right. It's important to think about your future and plan for your next fitness goal. But there are two dangers with goal setting every January. 1) Most, and I do mean most - like 75-85% of people - give up within the first 4-5 weeks of any given new year; and 2) Most, and I do mean most - I don't have a percentage, though - don't know how to set realistic goals so they end up not meeting the super idealistic, unattainable goals they have set when the New Year's Resolutions frenzy was happening and end up feeling like failures. Basically, we set ourselves up for disappointment come February every year.

So don't.

Stop.

Ignore the marketing. Ignore every article put out by every fitness guru right now and for the next month.

Seriously, stop.

Then what do I do, Chris? Miss Smarty Pants, how do I make myself the best me for 2017?

Here's a shocker. One digit changing from 6 to 7 doesn't make one ounce of difference if you take the long view. And fitness is the long view. It doesn't happen overnight and it won't stay with you unless you keep at it.

Another shocker, each day, each week, each month, each season marks a new beginning. 2016 to 2017 is as arbitrary as January 31st to February 1st. Yes the earth is in a different position in the Galaxy, yadda yadda yadda. Who cares.

I don't feel any differently than I did on December 31st.

We have 'news' happening to us with every sunrise. So that's how small our goals have to be. Reaffirm these small-step goals with every passing day, month, or season. Or sneeze! It doesn't matter, whatever works for you, not the calendar or the January-only discounts on fitness. (I'm guilty, I have a January-only special because more people than not have bought into this I'm-going-to-get-fit-in-the-new-year mentality, it'll be my goal to keep them going).

So stop. We need to stop shaming ourselves for our failures. This so-called failure that rears its ugly head every new year because we can't/don't do what someone else told us we should do. There is no shame in trying, failing, and trying again.

And stop saying 'should,' that is a horrible word and elicits nothing but feelings of shame, guilt, and defeat.

Start in January with a positive attitude and a plan. Take a break for a few days or weeks in February or March. Forgive yourself for the break. Then start again!

Your goals are forever - to be edited, ramped up, or crossed out. They are not just for 2017.