December 31st. The day we all take notice of our shortcomings and decide to do something about it. And for many of us, it’s about 3 days before we revert back to accepting our shortcomings.

Are you a new year’s resolution person? Have any for this year? Are they related to weight loss, healthy eating, and exercise? If so, I have 3 suggestions I’d like share:

1. Have a read through this post I wrote previously about resolutions. Or interpret this super-dense summary: “A small resolution that you do for a long time becomes a big change. A big resolution that you do for a short time becomes a small change.” Are you contemplating a big change? Is it one you’ve tried before without much success? If so, maybe it’s time to break it down a bit.
2. If you’re gung-ho on the healthy eating, exercise, and weight loss realm, then check out our online habit-based Get Lean 8 Week Challenge. We’ve been offering it since 2013 with great reviews. It’s an 8 week program where you take on a new habit each week, and each day, you receive an email with information and insight into that week’s habit. Click the link above for a few more details and to register.
3. Pick up a copy of Erin Brown’s ebook, As Is: A 21 day practice for finding a home and peace in your skin. Seriously. Do it. You will thank me for the recommendation. Especially if you are a woman, or if you are the parent of a girl. In truth, I am only halfway through at the moment, but it has already had a very big (and positive!) effect on my own body-image and on how I talk to myself. I just can’t state enough how much I think you should buy this book.

   That’s it that’s all. The only thing left to say is Happy New Year! (and to go find out what the rest of the Auld Lang Syne lyrics are…)

   Elsbeth Vaino, CSCS, is a personal trainer in Ottawa. She trains clients at Custom Strength in west centretown.