Why NOT to do dry January

Hooray, you have made it out of the other side of Christmas, maybe slightly dishevelled, perhaps feeling a little unfit, and almost certainly with a myriad of New Year’s resolutions. If you want to make a New Year’s resolution that lasts past January, forget about dry January and read on how to make real changes for real results, and make 2018 your year!

When I asked my clients if they would like to do dry January, the suggestion was not greeted with too much enthusiasm – much to my utmost relief.

And that’s not because of my love for a glass of good bubbly. The relief is based on a psychological ‘law’ that draws attention to what is forbidden, effectively making you want the forbidden fruit even more.

So, when I am told that I am not allowed to drink a glass of Prosecco for the whole of January, I really (I mean really, really) want that glass of Prosecco. So much so that it makes me feel frustrated, depressed and unhappy – and that is the last thing you want in the dark month of January!

A much better way to be more healthy is to focus on what you DO want: fit into those skinny jeans, be able to run 10k, tone up. And then, you break your goal down into hands-on action points – one off them might be to cut down on that fizz. This approach is different in that you don’t forbid yourself to do anything, you simply eat and live according to your goals.

Now, doesn’t that feel much better? So, if you are after a short term challenge – by all means go for dry January. If you are in for the long-term and looking for a maintainable new way of living more healthily or losing that weight for good, then think about your goals instead, and pick the actions to get you there. And yes, you can still have that glass of Prosecco with friends, and feel fit and fab!  
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Brigitte Cummings is your local Personal Trainer in South Edinburgh. She also offers bespoke Outdoor Group Training (aka boot camp) and unique Home Training Programmes. You can find out more under www.achievementcoaching.co.uk

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