A return to normalcy

January 2, 2008 · Filed Under Slacking Off at Work 

I am happy to have the winter holidays safely and surely behind us all. It means more blogging for you to read (from everyone, including me). It means more reliable co-workers (thankfully).

What is always entertaining about January are the New Year resolutions people make. The jump in sales at gyms, fitness equipment manufacturers, and diet pill/system marketers is simply astounding. The fact that this is a constant source of good revenue for these industries just shows you how committed people are to making good on the most common resolution: losing weight.

This isn’t surprising. Bad habits are hard to break. Something as necessary to our existence as eating isn’t going to be something that changes easily.

Penelope Trunk puts together a decent post on how to actually keep your resolutions. Let’s just say I am not holding my breath. Making major changes at an arbitrary date simply doesn’t work well.

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2 Responses to “A return to normalcy”

  1. Samara on January 2nd, 2008 1:55 pm

    I just had to comment you because losing 10 pounds is one of my new years resolutions. I actually had two and Penelope’s post about a major overhaul to change is pretty accurate. To lose weight you have to stop eating a certain way and become accustom to a whole new way of eating. Exercise has to be part of your lifestyle as well.

    I bought a scale for inspiration and I’ve lost 2 pounds so far, but I started this routine a few weeks before the new year so I agree when you say that major changes shouldn’t be based on January 1st. If you’re not happy with your lifestyle then change it now, not when the new year approaches. I mean it would sound dumb for me to say:

    “yeah, I want to lose weight, but I’m weighting for the new year.”

    Happy 2008!

  2. Your HR Guy on January 11th, 2008 1:24 am

    Losing weight is a big one. Changing jobs ranks up there as well and that is something I don’t understand. When the time is right, you need to do it.

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