Keeping Promises by Corey Yanzito

Jan 9, 2010 by Corey Yanzito

Corey Yanzito Keeping Promises by Corey Yanzito As 2009 ended and 2010 began, I got to thinking about all the potential the new year brings. In some ways, a new year gives us permission to start anew. It’s as though we can leave behind in the old year the things about us that we’d prefer didn’t accompany us into 2010. Sure, I can’t wave a wand and make my debt or my love handles disappear, but I can examine my behavior and try to pinpoint the things that I do to contribute to my own shortcomings.

I’ve been thinking a lot about my weight and the resolution I seem to make every year to take better care of myself. I’ve never been a thin person, and thankfully, my weight hasn’t caused any real health problems to speak of, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for improvement. I know I would look and feel better if I were forty pounds lighter. I’m also fairly certain that I need to eat fewer calories and exercise more. Perhaps I’ll never be a size two, but I think two sizes smaller is a goal I can achieve.

The exercise isn’t a problem. I like to exercise. It feels good to get my blood coursing through my veins. I enjoy the hour or so of time to myself that I get when I work out. However, exercise alone isn’t going to make this the year I finally follow my own new year’s resolution.

It’s clear that my relationship with food is what needs to change. I eat when I’m sad. I eat to celebrate. I eat because I’m bored or anxious. I eat because I can’t resist my favorite foods. I fix my husband’s favorite meals to show him how much I love him. I bake to spend time with my kids. Clearly, food is filling voids that ought to be filled in other ways.

This year, I hope to find healthier ways to celebrate the ones I love. I’d like to find more creative ways to show my affection. Perhaps I can fix healthier meals with fresh fruits and veggies rather than comfort food heavy with pasta and cheese. Maybe I’ll try sending homemade cards, rather than homemade cookies. Certainly I need to address the things that make me anxious or upset rather than soothing myself with a bowl of ice cream. I need to keep my hands busy with constructive activities when I’m bored rather than using them to munch on chips or cookies.

Sometimes I think the promises we make to ourselves are the easiest to break. Besides myself, who is it going to hurt if I stop working toward my resolution to be healthier? It seems that the biggest thing I need to do this year is to decide that I am worth it. I need to keep the promises I make to myself as sacred as the promises I make to others.

What kinds of things do you do to take care of yourself? Do you keep your resolutions? If so, what kinds of tips do you have to share with us?

About The Author: A graduate of Colorado State University, Corey Yanzito enjoys her work as site editor for Satiama and The Nu Lifewhere she is always on the hunt for new, insightful articles. Prior to coming on board with the Satiama team, Corey worked in the accounting field. Now a full-time mom to her tiny tots, Corey enjoys reading, writing, photography, travel, and spending time with friends and family. Do you have a great story idea? Please send Corey an e-mail at corey@satiama.com.