2024 New Year body-positive resolutions to make you feel happier and healthier mentally and physically
2023 has been an interesting year, to put it politely. Many of us had lofty goals, big plans, and firm resolutions last year. Studies have shown that around 77% of people give up on their New Year’s resolutions by the end of the first week of January.
Why Do Resolutions Fail?
Of course, there are times when your willpower will be tested, and 2023 has certainly been one of those times. But resolutions have been failing for years—why? The most common New Year's resolutions are usually centered around getting healthy or simply living life to its fullest. We often set ourselves up for failure by being overly ambitious. We make resolution lists that are too long and unrealistically achievable. The shorter and more realistic you make your resolutions, the more likely you are to achieve them.
Set Positive, Realistic Resolutions
It’s that time of the year when we reassess and set goals and resolutions for the year ahead. This year, let's focus on body-positive resolutions that bring happiness, not hunger or guilt.
The resolution season can be rough for many of us. 2024 will be no different. With a new year rolling in, resolutions are set to be even more prominent than usual. For the new year, we propose a new take on resolutions. Goal-setting often relies on self-criticism. It often relies on the assumption that the current you are not ‘good enough. For many of us, "weight loss" has been at the top of the resolutions list year after year. This year, let’s shake things up a bit. Consider adopting two or all of these resolutions, which center on self-love and acceptance.
Body Positive Resolutions For 2024
No More Fad Diets
Atkins, keto, 5:2, paleo, intermittent fasting, a raw food diet, the alkaline diet... the list goes on. Fad diets might have short-term, temporary results. But many fad diets are difficult to follow and impossible to sustain. They have arbitrary rules, involve food you often don’t like, and may even put your health in danger. If you feel like you’ve tried every fad diet on the market, then this could be the year you stop. Stop crash-dieting. Stop adopting fad diets. Eat food you enjoy in moderation. Don’t feel guilty about it.
Stop Social Media Obsessing
Social media is a dangerous beast. It’s easy to go down the black hole of looking at seemingly “perfect” photoshopped models. It's so easy to start looking at unhealthy hashtags like #thinspiration and other unhealthy diet hashtags. “Keeping up with the Joneses" has gone beyond the neighbors and extended to the entire world. We can feel better if we spend less time comparing ourselves to others.
This can be the year we stop setting impossible “standards” to look like people who are completely different from us. How much time do you spend mindlessly scrolling on social media? So often, positive, fun resolutions like taking up a new hobby will fail because we just can’t find the time. We could all gain a few precious hours back by cutting down on social media time. In 2024, resolve to use that time to do something for yourself that makes you feel happy and fulfilled.
Wear What You Love
Wear the items and styles that you love. Can you imagine having a wardrobe of items you love and that you wear regularly? Make that dream a reality by 2024. Take inspiration from
Marie Kondo and review your wardrobe. Keep only the items that spark joy. Look at every item you own and remove those that make you unhappy or that you don’t enjoy wearing. Ask yourself:
Does this stained top give me joy? Do these jeans that don’t fit give me joy, or do they make me feel guilty? Any clothes that you don’t love can be sold or given away to friends or charity. This will also help you with two other common New Year’s resolutions: being more charitable and more frugal in 2024.
Wear Something New!
Have you been afraid to try that new trend or style? Do you avoid skirts or dresses because of dreaded chafing? Wear something new in 2024! Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re the wrong age or the wrong size to wear something. You can wear any type of clothing you like with the help of Bandelettes
® thigh bands. Our
anti-chafing thigh bands stop the legs from rubbing, so you can try shorts, skirts, dresses, and more.
Enjoy Exercising & Being Outdoors
Most people have very distinct preferences for exercise. Some people hate the monotony and high costs of the gym. Or, they find exercise classes and team sports difficult to fit into their schedules. Don’t be too strict or hard on yourself if you can’t make a traditional exercise regime work. Enjoying exercising and being outdoors doesn’t need to be a strict operation.
Try engaging in exercise you enjoy as much as you can. That might be a short weekend hike with a picnic or a stroll on the beach with a friend. Try and reclaim some of the exercises you enjoyed in your childhood, like swimming or even jumping rope! If you can't commit to a team sport with your schedule, try joining as a reserve and fill in when you can. Or just take a bike ride through a beautiful park; many cities offer pay-per-hour bikes for hire. Our
sports thigh bands make it easy to get back into exercising without fear of chafing.
Be Kind To Yourself
Being kind to yourself is extremely important this time of year. Don’t beat yourself up about last year’s resolutions. Try not to obsess over that extra holiday weight or other perceived failings. Instead, become aware of your achievements and give yourself recognition. Forgive and respect yourself, stand up for your achievements, and admit and forgive past failings. Recognize yourself as a friend
Be The Change You Want To See
Show the same compassion and understanding toward others. Try not to judge people or make comments that would hurt if they were said to you. Be the change you want to see. And set an example by treating others how you want to be treated.
For more uplifting inspiration, check out our Ultimate Guide to Body Positivity.
