Nose for News by Sarah Stultz

 

As one year begins to wind down and another one will soon begin, my mind has shifted to making some new goals for myself.

Anyone who has known me well, knows I have struggled with maintaining a healthy weight. I’ve written about it several times — and many of you have offered your advice.

I remember as far back even as middle school that I struggled with this issue — with developing a healthy relationship with food and feeling confident in my own skin. 

Over the weeks, months and years since, I have started countless times to lose weight only to find myself at one point or another jumping off the wagon and ending up back where I started.

I know it can’t be a diet — it has to be a lifestyle change. But after 35 years of habits that aren’t the best, changing is not easy.

I’ve had family members and friends who have struggled with this same challenge throughout their lives. Some have succeeded in conquering this battle — at least on the outside — while others continue to struggle with it day in and day out.

Seeing a family member in the hospital for several weeks from many health-related issues has stopped me in my tracks and has gotten the ball rolling yet again for me on what I can do to change my ways. But what can I do differently so that I have a different outcome this time?

How can I set myself up for success?

As I’ve researched my game plan, looked up a bunch of healthy recipes and started making grocery lists, I thought about waiting until the first of the year to start initiating these changes. But that’s been the story of my life with this challenge. Oh, I’ll start Monday, I always say.

No more delays this time.

While I don’t think New Year’s resolutions are bad, I believe there’s never a bad time to make a new goal.

Whether it’s getting healthy, being more financially responsible, spending more time with family, keeping your house clean, quitting smoking, reading more or anything in between, there’s no better time to take that first step than now.

I’ve learned that even though I’ve been on this journey before and I’ve taken this first step many times, you can’t reach your goals unless you you’re on the right path. If you find yourself off the path like I have been, jump back on.

“Change before you have to.” — Jack Welch

Sarah Stultz is the managing editor of the Tribune. Her column appears every Tuesday.