2024/12/31 [Tue]
New Year’s Reflections and Resolutions
Hi Y’all, Jorge again. It’s the last day of the year! Have you thought about your New Year’s resolution yet? I’ve had many different thoughts about what I should do. It’s fine if you don’t have anything yet; I often make my resolutions late into January, sometimes even in February. So don’t worry if you haven’t decided on anything yet.
Common New Year’s Resolutions
A common resolution is “New Year, New Me.” People often look at how much they eat during the holidays and say they want to start going to the gym and lose weight. Japan doesn’t have as many back-to-back holidays like the US, where we feast on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. I sometimes gained close to 5kgs (or 10 pounds for you Americans) during the holidays. It’s just too easy, eating all that yummy home-cooked food and drinking holiday drinks. I didn’t really drink much alcohol before moving to Japan. If I drank anything alcoholic during the holidays, it was usually a little wine or alcoholic eggnog. I miss eggnog so much! Have you tried it before? If not there are plenty of homemade recipes, and I’ve found it in specialty stores in Tokyo a few times. But the temptation is too great, so I don’t make it. If I did, I’d end up drinking it all in one day. It’s THAT good.Buuuuut, I had many friends who HATED eggnog, which I couldn’t believe. I used to offer them my special eggnog mix: eggnog from Publix with a shot or two (maybe three) of Peppermint Schnapps. The one I picked was 100 proof (50% alcohol), stronger than vodka, whiskey, or tequila. It tastes amazing! The peppermint helps it go down easily, so there’s not much of a burning sensation. If you try this mix, please drink responsibly. It’s very strong and high in sugar, so you’ll get drunk quickly.
Losing Weight After the Holidays
Wanting to lose weight is a common desire, especially after enjoying good food and drinks during the holidays. Everyone wants to start their diet and weight loss journey to be in shape for summer and show off their beach bodies. In the US, we often see packed gyms in January. Even in Japan, there’s a noticeable increase in gym-goers after the New Year. While I support everyone on their weight loss journey, it does mean the gym is more crowded, and equipment is usually taken. But I am happy to see so many people with a common goal in mind.
Adapting to a Busy Gym
To counteract this, I focus on different types of weightlifting and avoid cardio since the cardio machines will be packed in January. I walk more during the day or do calisthenics and quick runs in my morning routine, even though I hate running. As the weeks go by, I see fewer people at the gym. By February, the crowd thins out, and by March, the regulars are back. Routines are hard, and some people reach their weight loss goals quickly. Not everyone aims to be super muscular or lose 10kgs. Sometimes it’s 5, 3, or less. What’s important is that you reach your goal and feel proud and happy with your success. How about you? If you have any weight loss goals how much are you looking to lose? Maybe its more? Or less? Maybe you are blessed with a speedy metabolism and don’t need to at all! If you do I envy that….but it just means I have to work harder! Which is totally okay! Since I love going to the gym.
Setting New Year’s Goals
Soooooo, your New Year’s resolution doesn’t have to be about going to the gym. Honestly, pick something that inspires you. Maybe you want to start a new hobby? One year, I decided to practice Karate. I started and went for almost a year, but then I moved, and my job got too busy. I might start that again this year. Or maybe I’ll buy a small piano and practice playing again. I played for two years as a kid but forgot. Or I might pick up the guitar that was gifted to me years ago and play occasionally. How about you? Do you have any goals for the coming year? Maybe you want to move somewhere new, start a hobby, visit a place you’ve been dying to see, ask someone out, or make a big life change. The size of the goal doesn’t matter. Make many smaller goals, one big one, or even one small one. What matters is pushing yourself to achieve your goals.
Achieving Your Wonderful Everyday
Maybe you’re too stressed or going through a tough time. I’m rooting for you, and I’m sure others are too. If you don’t have a goal in mind or don’t like setting goals, that’s fine too. If you’re waking up every day and working towards what makes you happy, you’re already working to achieve your Wonderful Everyday.
So to end the Year!
Have a Happy New Year’s Eve, everyone!
