8 Tips to Improve your Wellbeing without Diet or Exercise Resolutions
If January is a tough time of year, you are not alone.
Your social media feed is likely filled with people sharing the highlights of 2024, while diet culture is constantly reminding you how you can be better, under the veil of “New Year’s resolutions.”
It is a recipe for comparison and undeniable pressure to have some life-changing New Year’s goals for 2025. It can all feel overwhelming, leaving you ready to chuck your phone against the wall.
I did a little research as to where this New Year’s resolution “pressure” comes from.
After a little Google sleuthing, all I found was the idea that a new beginning and a fresh start can be a motivating time for change. When we hear the word change, why do we automatically think that means changing ourselves? And more specifically, changing our bodies?
Let me refresh your memory on why efforts focused on weight loss rarely work long-term.
- While people may initially lose weight on just about any diet or weight loss plan, the majority regain the lost weight (and often more) within 1-5 years.
- Diets often fail because they promote unsustainable restrictions that are difficult to maintain, leading to cycles of weight loss and regain, also known as weight cycling.
- We also know that people who diet are more at risk for developing an eating disorder.
If the idea of a fresh start is motivating to you, there are so many things you can do with that energy that is not related to changing how your body looks and will likely be better for you in the long run.
What if you took this fresh start as an opportunity to do something new that you’ve always wanted to do but never had the time for.
Maybe you’ve always wanted to take a cooking class or learn a new hobby? Or maybe you’re a busy parent and want to take 15 minutes out of your day just for you. What if there is a new book series that you’ve been wanting to dive into? Or if New Year’s resolutions have only left you feeling worse – your new fresh start could be NO RESOLUTIONS.
Now that 2024 has wrapped up, I encourage you to take some time to reflect on all you experienced and endured these past 365 days – the good and the bad. Did you learn anything this year? Did you make it through something hard? What unlikely moments allow you to feel proud of yourself? Were there any themes from this past year? What do you want more or less of in 2025?
While I wouldn’t call these resolutions, below are some ways that have been shown to improve our overall well-being and none of them require unrealistic exercise or food plans. Ways to have resolutions that are not focused on diet culture. And all of them center on connection – with yourself, the world, and others around you. Perhaps some of these ideas spark something you want MORE of this year.
8 Ways to Improve your Overall Well-Being without focusing of food or exercise:
- Call or Facetime your family/friends more often.
- Plan that trip that’s been on your bucket list.
- Step outside more for fresh air.
- Fill your home with more greenery – even low maintenance succulent plants can do the job.
- If you have free time, consider volunteering for a cause you care about.
- Explore a new hobby. Perhaps it’s taking a dance class, crocheting or painting.
- Write a letter to someone you care about and express how much they mean to you.
- Give yourself permission to do nothing each day – even if it’s for a few minutes.
I appreciate you being here with me. This community we have buoys me up when all of these social pressures get me down. And I hope to buoy you up too, because at the end of the day, we need each other.
If you are someone or know someone struggling with eating disorders and needs help from a dietitian – nutritionist, please reach out and book a call. I am taking on new clients and would love to talk about how I can help you heal. Reach out to me here.
Sending you strength and support as this New Year begins!
Anita Dharwadkar
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with Marci RD Nutrition