Change, change, change
December 31st, 2009 by CatI've always — always — written up New Year's resolutions, even when I was a kid.
I'd vow to change everything from my study habits to my 100-meter time.
But as I've gotten older, I'm starting to realize that New Year's resolutions aren't that effective.
First off, we expect to break them. (Which is why I tend to come up with ridiculously easy promises like, "Shower daily" and "Feed the dog.")
And secondly, we overwhelm ourselves with too much, too fast. How can we expect to drop 20 pounds, read more books, take up a new hobby, learn to whip up a mean Hollandaise sauce and spend more time with your family? It's nearly impossible!
That's why I enjoyed the blog Mark Beier wrote for Chicago Now about how much he hates New Year's resolutions:
The problem with New Year's Resolutions are that we think about them as short-term solutions to long-term problems. We vow to make drastic changes so that the next year will be much better than the previous.
We've all been there at one point in our lives: we're frustrated with our weight, we're tired of feeling like crap, we're embarrassed at how we look in our clothes and we FINALLY make that commitment to do something about it...TOMORROW.
But why not today? Why are healthy habits so hard to create? Why is it so hard for us to start something that will drastically change the quality of our life...for the better?
Good point.
So in the interest of stating the obvious, I'm going to list five of my NYR for 2010:
• Learn how to change the oil in my car. Yeah, yeah, it's true. I don't know how to do that. But it's my goal to learn, so why not this year?
• Volunteer more. I used to help out more often when I was working at The Nature Conservancy. (It was practically in your job description!) But lately, I haven't found the time. But in 2010, no excuses!
• Do something I love everyday. Now this one is vague but easy — and vital to my happiness! I've been trying to do this for years now, and it's worked out. Whether it's surfing or reading a book, doing something that makes me happy has exactly that result. And who doesn't want to be happy, right?
What are yours?
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Follow Cat on Twitter @thedailydish or send her an e-mail at cat@thecatdish.com.
Tags: hawaii, new year, New Year's resolution, toth, vow
December 31st, 2009 at 8:11 am
"Shower daily" is easy?
December 31st, 2009 at 8:52 am
Um Cat I only counted 3 of your NYR
I no make resolutions cause I never fulfill it. If can, can. If no can, no can. But main thing we TRY.
Wishing you and the DD readers the best in 2010.
December 31st, 2009 at 10:06 am
I need to lose weight. I'm starting to look like fat Elvis. Yesterday I joined a gym and I just now got back from my first real gym workout in 7 years. I swam 15 laps then sat in a jacuzzi with some fat old guys. Good way to start, minus the fat old guys
December 31st, 2009 at 10:30 am
I don't think I'll do a NYR this year. I made a Bucket List earlier this year and have already let this slowly slip away. I used to look at it once a week just to keep it on my mind, even if I wasn't able to cross anything off. Now I haven't looked at it in months. I'll probably just dust it off and try to focus on it more in 2010.
December 31st, 2009 at 11:03 am
People often confuse "resolution" with "solution" every NYE.
Scott, we probably go to the gym, but I'm not one of the fat, old guys. Fat and a guy, yes. Old? Not yet! Careful about the showers. Some of the guys there like to watch otherssssss.....
December 31st, 2009 at 11:31 am
I made one a long time ago and that is not to make nyr anymore.
December 31st, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Happy New Year! Changing your own oil is an admirable task to learn but then after seeking the recycle center for the used oil. doing the clean up afterward...still better to use dealer or local service station.
I really like the third one and it's one that everyone should make. Do something you love to do every day, Taht says tons and will always make you happy.
December 31st, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Never make them. Anything that is important enough to start, I try to start immediately. New Years Day is just another day.
December 31st, 2009 at 2:37 pm
The last time I changed my oil it took waaaay more time and effort than it was worth to me... For forty-sumthin' bux to change it at the service station (along with a check and refill of all the other fluids) sounds like a bargain to me... But, it is admirable to want to "know" how to do it, and to have accomplished it at least once... good luck Cat!
As for fitness resolutions, I've been a bit of a gym rat my whole life. At some points at various ages, it really ruled my life. I was going in that trend again in late-2008 so I made a resolution last year to spend "less" time in the gym and enjoy life a bit more... It has worked out great so far: I spend less time on the treadmill/stairmaster and more on hiking Koko Crater and other trails. Or spend less time on the exercise bike and more time biking on Tantalus or other country roads. In otherwords, do healthy things WHILE living... I got the idea from the end of the movie "In Good Company" with Dennis Quaid, Scarlett Johansson and Topher Grace, where Topher's character starts the movie on the treadmill and ends the movie "on the trails!"
So for 2010 I think I'll expand that to food... less time eating out, more time cooking meals that will at least "attempt" to rival those I would have gone out for...
Hau'oli Makahiki Hou everyone!
December 31st, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Hi Cat, changing the oil is actually very easy. u can buy this oil changing boxes that absorb all the oil and it has a plastic liner that seals up,and u close the box like any other box and take it to the recycling center.u dont need a jack,but it can be helpful.buy a bigger onethan is already in your car from walmart for $20.Park on flat driveway.Put a big rock or buy wheel chocks,behind rear wheels.Safety first.look for a "dishpan" type object-crankcase, with one lone nut. its obvious when u see it.U need a wrench,buy a set.i think the standard may be 7/8,but buy a set to be sure. use the closed end-better gripping,no slipping.put box under nut and then remove...tricky part because oil doset initially just drip out it has a stream when nut is removed.let drain. put nut back in.u dont want to "crank " it tight.just snug,plus one half turn. refil with 3 quarts.check dipstick to make sure its at the full level. You never want to overfil the oil level.Thats it you're done.u can change it every 3 months.2 if youre ambitious.Now the oil-filter is another story.Change that every 4 months.Its still very easy...just hard to reach depending on the car. There are the obvious things i didnt type because its geting long,but i'm positive u knew already to turn the car off,and do this project with a "cold" engine.And dont touch a hot exhaust pipe, and never,never change the oil in a formal dress. Happy New Year.
December 31st, 2009 at 3:07 pm
I resolve to care less about what other people think of me. My wife says I would already if I knew how seldom they did.
I resolve to spend less time on my sponge and more time on my board even it that means spending more time on the reef's 'hurty parts'.
I resolve to meet at least one new Honolulu resident each week - the old fashion way. I think it used to be called 'face to face' instead of facebook to facebook.
I resolve to work out twice a day instead of one half of one workout one time a day, like I haven't been doing with anything approaching regularity.
I resolve to treat Shauna Goya better next year than I did this year. This is the one resolution I have doubts about my ability to keep.
December 31st, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Here's what Wayne Joseph, a Hawaii Tribune Herald fitness columnist, wrote on December 29, 2009:
"No matter what your resolution may be for 2010, the difference between obtaining your goals and failing to succeed lie in your motivation and determination.
Maintain a positive, can-do attitude and believe in yourself and the ability of your inward strength. You may need to take a step or two backward during your quest to achieve your fitness goals for 2010, but the advances will continue if you do not give up in yourself.
It is said that continuous effort, not strength or intelligence, is the key to unlocking your fullest potential.
Good luck, and here's wishing all of you the brightest, happiest and fittest new year."
My New Year's resolution is to keep walking. I am not going to make a resolution to lose weight.
Last year, like many obese people trying to reduce, I made a New Year's resolution to lose 10 pounds and get back to the weight I had seven years ago. Do you know what happened? Instead of losing 10 pounds I gained 10 more pounds. Now I am 20 pounds over the weight seven years ago. I would be one of the fat old guys Scott talking about. Wayne Joseph's admonitions are timely ..... keep trying .... and do not give up. Maybe that's why I clipped the article to get me motivated and get on the right track. Maybe I need to take a few steps backwards before I can move forward.
No matter. Happy New Year! Hope 2010 turns out to be a good one.
January 1st, 2010 at 6:38 am
Aloha Cat ~
Change the oil??? For a hottie like you, I am sure this will be an easy goal to reach. Just let the word out and you'll have a line of willing and able men (or women) to help - look how willing "oldshoes" was to give you help.
There's nothing more sensuous than a beautiful woman with smudges of oil on her face. You'll do just fine ...
Back to your original point, why get frustrated over resolutions? Happy people don't set resolutions - they simply continue working to make progress in their lives. Growth and change are constants in our life. Hopefully we're all working to be a bit better each day - and what better resolution is there than this?
Have a wonderful New Year!
A*L*O*H*A
January 1st, 2010 at 7:21 am
Hello Cat!
I never make any. Don't see any reason too. If I need to do something, I'll just do it.
Happy New Year!
January 1st, 2010 at 7:45 am
Don't remember if I ever made a NYR, maybe in my early years. For me, changes come internally in small increments. I don't make a big deal with high expectations. Hmmm, maybe that's why I'm poor, not famous and certainly a low mucka mucka. But then again, I'm relatively happy, have a great family, and in good health, fairly fit with no weight problem.
oldshoes is right, changing the oil is easy, changing the oil filter can be very difficult for some cars. The filter may be in a very tight space. I've had cars where the filter is very accessible and others that I had to remove from underneath with the wheels turned all the way to the left just to loosen but had to take out from the top. Bruise a few knuckles trying to take a tight filter off with a ratchet, extension and filter remover cap. Plus you couldn't see the filter screw so putting in the new filter was by feel...a real pain and sometimes a big mess.
January 1st, 2010 at 10:32 am
Great idea. have a contest and the winner gets to change your oil. BTW, u gonna finish that list of 5?
January 4th, 2010 at 9:34 am
oh man i only showered this year this morning.
January 5th, 2010 at 6:15 am
Ahh, mine:
1. Go to the gym consistently. Get into that groove and sticking with it.
2. Get my budding professional art career off the ground so that I can (one day) afford to leave my current day job and do what I LOVE for the rest of my life. Already off to a good start...Got myself into the Oahu Arts Center showing at the Pauahi Tower Gallery (12/26 to 1/23).
3. Making time for a relationship/love in my life.
These are my main goals for 2010. This is going to be a good year for us all. Just gotta stay positive and focused on what is that you want for yourself. Can do!
January 6th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
Im not sure that Diego would beat Maynard who might bully him like Fitch did