The New Year's Resolution Effect

[adouglas]

We've all seen it. Many of us have succumbed to it. We make a New Year's resolution to get fit, lose weight, whatever. Feels great and we go at it with a vengeance. Gyms are all packed in late winter (or at least they used to be in the Before Times). We tell our friends and family all about our lifestyle change. We post on social media and get encouragement. We revel in weight loss and increased energy.

Then, one fine day in the spring, we all go outside to enjoy the warm weather and fresh air.... Suddenly we're too busy. Yard work. Spring cleaning. Dog walking. Day trips. Vacations. Enjoying life.

And before we know it, the resolution has vanished, the backsliding begins and come the end of the year, we're right back where we started.

I bought a vintage Model B in mid-January and have been rowing every day since. Hit 100 miles yesterday. I haven't been thinking of it as a resolution (different mindset). But having let the Resolution Effect get me in the past, I'm very aware that it might happen again.

I think that, for me, mindfulness is the way to stay focused and not let distractions throw me off the (seat) rail. Show up. Row. Repeat. Keep it simple, keep it consistent.

I'm also not telling anyone other than my wife and the erging community that I'm doing this. And I won't, until I'm sure it's become a lasting change. I figure if I make it to the end of June without losing interest, it will have set in for the long term.

Thoughts? Tips? Anyone have similar experiences?

[Joebasscat]

For me it's the first thing that happens in the morning. That means adjusting the alarm and lights out on workdays.

[Dangerscouse]

There's a general rule that it takes 21 days to create a habit, and 90 days to make it permanent. Obviously this is a very general rule, but the one thing I always advise is to love the process, and keep the results as secondary.

If you focus on results, when they slow down and eventually stall, you'll have nowhere else to go to keep motivated. If you just enjoy doing what you're doing, slower progress isn't an issue and it's just part of what is to be expected

[Tsnor]

Thoughts? Tips?

Keep it fun. Use music, videos, audio books, racing aps, progress tracking, heart rate monitors, training journals, competitions, forum posts, or whatever you like to make the rowing part fun. If rowing is viewed as work you have to do, but that you would skip if you could, then likely your interest won't last. Rowing has to be (and can be) fun/rewarding/enjoyable.

[Rick]

You have exactly the right idea, just show up. Do today’s workout today. Then tomorrow, do it again. I’m on the same journey, and it doesn’t end while we’re still breathing. Good on you for doing it!

[dabatey]

Routine beats willpower.