Why we give up on resolutions.

Have you ever made a commitment to do something but then not followed through?

I'm sure we all have at some point.

When I go back on a commitment, I tend to get that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. My conscious kicks in and regret comes into play. 

We've probably all experienced that feeling before. One of the most common commitments most of us tend to go back on is the commitment we make once the clock turns midnight on New Years Eve.

Very few people actually stick with their resolutions well beyond the month of January. I'm sure some of us couldn't even list what our past New Year's resolutions even were.

So, why do we do this? Why do we give up on resolutions and commitments that we set for ourselves?

For many of us, we fail to follow through because the resolution or goal we set is far too broad. We set goals like: workout more, get healthy, spend less money, or be happier, etc. Goals that are this broad, though, leave so much room for failure because we do not lay out a specific action plan to achieve the goal. For example, what would you even define as "healthy" if your goal is to get healthy? What do you define as "more" if your goal is to do something more in your life?

Another reason our resolutions tend to get pushed aside is that they are often times unrealistic. We set goals of getting to the gym six times each week when we currently do not go at all. We set a goal of going cold-turkey on a bad habit. These unrealistic expectations most often lead to quitting.

We also give up on our resolutions because they are based off willpower, not a sequenced plan of attack. We make a goal to get healthy, assuming that we will be able to resist the chocolate brownie when it is placed in front of us. Instead of actually writing down an action plan, we are quick to assume mental will power will be enough. 

So, why are we writing about this in the middle of September--many months past the new year?

With it being roughly the third week into September, we'd like you to reflect on how you are doing with your resolution. Did you fall into the trap of setting a goal that was too broad; too unrealistic; or based too much off willpower alone? 

If you have strayed away from your goal, the good news is that IT IS NOT TOO LATE! It is not too late go back and work on your goal--even if you have strayed away from it for awhile. 

Now is the time to re-evaluate where you are at with your goals you set back in January, and if you have abandoned them, see what you can still accomplish in the next few months. It is never to late to start, and (as celebrity trainer Autumn says) if you are tired of starting over, then stop quitting!

Now that the school year is back in full swing, and we are all back into our normal routines and schedules, think of all you can still accomplish and achieve--it's never too late to start up again! We hope you make the necessary steps to do so.

Have a great week!

Dr. Jeff and Jenny Redenius

One Simple Change.

This week, we'd like to pose a simple challenge for you.

Try to make one change.

After reading multiple different research studies, I have found that in general, it takes an individual anywhere from 20-120 days to break a habit or form a new one.

Keeping this in mind, Dr. Redenius and I would like to challenge you all to make just one change in your life, and for the next 20 days, promise yourself that you will stick to it (if you feel ambitious, go for the full 120)!

What changes are we talking about?

We want you to focus on just one change that will improve your mental, physical, or spiritual health. For example, you might want to try to rid your diet of soda for 20 days. Perhaps you want to try giving up smoking. You could try to incorporate 30 minutes of exercise into your daily routine (shout out for the summer walking program!). Maybe you want to take 20 minutes each day for the next 20 days to focus on improving your spiritual health by reading a devotional or writing in a journal.

The choice is yours, but make sure you choose something you can stick with for 20 days. Can you try to make more than one habitual change in the next 20 days? Sure, but research (and me personally) have found that focusing on just one change at a time brings much more positive results. Do not try to totally change diet, exercise, and spiritual life, all while giving up smoking, all in the same 20 days. Instead, focus your mental strength on overcoming just one or two bad habits.

You can do anything for 20 days, right?

What Dr. Redenius and I hope to inspire community members to embrace are lifestyle changes. We will not and do not promote "quick fixes" for habitual problems. Do "jump starts" work, and are they effective? Of course! They are definitely worthwhile for individuals who need a sort of jump start or a cleanse to get going. We want to encourage community members, though, to make a shift in mindset-- make a lifestyle change -- that continues on past a jump start. Lifestyle changes require baby steps, mental strength, and an overall shift thinking.  By encouraging you to take a baby step to make one, smaller change, we hope to inspire community members to continually strive to improve other areas of their life as well.

If I learned anything throughout my experiences of running marathons, it is that a mental strength has much more power than physical strength. You arm does not raise unless your mind wills it. You do not eat unless your mind wills you to pick up the fork and put it in your mouth. You give up on something when your mind wills you to do so. For the next 20 days, focus on improving your mental will-power. You can do anything you want when you focus your mind right.

It is simple: just do not give yourself the option to give up for the next 20 days.

Make a promise to yourself that you will try to make one, simple change for the next 20 days. Just do it. And if you need some positive reinforcement, call Dr. Redenius or me, and we will encourage you! Accountability is key, so do not be afraid to reach out to us or share out what your personal change is. Getting encouragement from others will help you along the way.

So, what is your one change?

Just like last week, we will be giving away a FREE prize this week! All you need to do is “Like” the Redenius Chiropractic official Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/redeniuschiropractic/) and SHARE this blog post to your own page by Thursday, May 19 2016! The giveaway is open to USA residents only. This week, the FREE prize will be a cookbook that is filled with healthier eating options! Good luck!

Have a great week!

Dr. Jeff and Jenny Redenius