WHY DO WE
Drop the Ball After
the Ball Drops?
TEXT RACHEL ORNSTEIN PACKER
I remember stepping on the scale
why do we drop the ball after the ball
health and fitness journeys because the
Jan. 1, 2001, only a few weeks after
drops? For most (myself included), it
concept of being a work-in-progress is
delivering my first child. I had
begins with the resolution part, more
a more realistic notion. It allows us to
gained over 55 pounds and knew that
specifically, the word, “resolution.” It’s
fully celebrate life’s joys or deal with
weighing myself probably wasn’t the
harsh and unforgiving and it sets us
its letdowns without guilt, or feeling
best way to ring in the new year, but
up for failure. A resolution indicates
like failures. Of course, like anything
my irrational, hormonal self didn’t
a promise, a firm or determined
else, change takes time. However,
care. As my poor husband tried to
course of action. Nevertheless, what
habits can take as little as 30-60 days
counsel me amidst all my sobs and
happens if you’re not feeling so firm
to form and if started now, you could
swearing, I resolutely declared to lose
or determined one day, or your
be in far better shape, both physically
the weight quickly and to return to
hormones lead you on a four-day
and emotionally, as the new year
my pre-pregnancy clothes within a
cookie bender? Does that mean your
approaches. month. I can honestly say without any
resolution is blown?
exaggeration that my resolution was
a complete bust, and my husband is
still traumatized by that meltdown 16
years later.

Jan. 1 is an artificial timeline for most.

While it may sound counterintuitive, I
In fact, I have seen people use this
encourage those I work with to use the
hyped-up deadline as carte blanche
phrase, “work-in- progress,” in lieu
to overindulge so much throughout
of resolution, and in my experience,
the holiday season, that by the time
They say that most New Year’s
people are more receptive to this
the ball drops, they are dealing with
resolutions are broken by Jan. 20,
shift in attitude. Moreover, they have
an extra 5-10 pounds. Next, they peter
which challenges us with the question,
enjoyed far better results in their
out after approximately two weeks by
10 January 2017 washingtonFAMILY.com



either overexerting themselves in the
year as opposed to a deadline as your
simplified, it nonetheless demonstrates
gym to the point of pain, or resentfully
launching point. As you shift your
unattainable resolutions versus
restricting their diets too much. Does
mental focus and embrace the work-
work-in-progress goals. The act of
this sound familiar?
in-progress approach, you will find it
successfully accomplishing our goals
Here’s how to begin. First, remove that
looming, Jan. 1 target date from your
calendar and start creating a work-in-
progress list to replace your resolution
is far easier to overcome unforeseen
circumstances that may derail your
health and fitness goals before, during
and after the ball drops.

is rooted in our language, focus and
attitude, so carefully compare those
three components below. If the goal is
impractical, then success will be too.

line-up. The goal is to focus on action
Below is a work-in-progress sample.

Review your goals every two-weeks to
and accountability all throughout the
While the chart may appear a bit over
tweak or re-adjust.

Unrealistic Resolutions
Work-in-Progress Goals
I will work out 6 days-a-week-starting
Jan.1 and hit the gym hard.

I will aim for 2 hours a week and include some strength
training when I’m ready. If I miss a workout, I’ll try to do
something active that day like walk the dog or play with my
kids. Lose 10 pounds in one month by
restricting my diet.

I will start by eliminating some sweets and replace with
fruit. I will aim for a 1-2-pound weight loss a week.

I will cut out all carbs for rapid
weight loss.

I will start by swapping out some bad carbs for healthy
carbs and adjust as I go along.

I have to eat more fibrous vegetables
because they will fill me up and
speed weight loss.

I will prepare an easy and enjoyable recipe for one
new vegetable this month.

Cold turkey on wine!
I’m going to cut down wine to one time per week, and
enjoy it in moderation at special occasions.

No more coffee.

Keep coffee, but cut from 3 cups to 1 cup (maybe start with
two and see where it goes). Use one creamer instead of
three. If I mess up, I have to start all over
again, and hit it even harder.

If I eat too much or miss too many workouts this week,
I will get back on track.

Failure is not an option!
Progress is my only option.

The work-in-progress method is a far
what I call “Pinterest Perfect.” When
better way to start off your new year,
we fall into this trap, our lives are
and it doesn’t have to stop with your
anything but utopian.

nutrition or fitness goals either. In
fact, it can be applied to any aspect of
your professional or personal life. We
can’t always be the perfect parent (I
Lastly, the concept of being a work-in-
progress doesn’t mean we shouldn’t
try to do our best, rather, it allows us
the mental space to understand that
know I’m not), employee, boss, coach
we are entitled to make mistakes,
or spouse, and yet many of us struggle
learn from them and continually
with the notion that we should be
evolve as individuals.

Rachel Ornstein Packer is a writer
focusing on food allergies, nutrition
and diet. She has written for many local
newspapers and magazines along with
multiple websites and blogs. She recently
became a certified trainer with The Perfect
Workout, a unique 20-minute slow-motion
strength training method. You can
contact her at rachel.packer@
theperfectworkout.com or her blogs
www.lifeisgoodlickthebowl.blogspot.com, www.RachelPackerWriter.com.

washingtonFAMILY.com January 2017 11