Happy New Year!

I noticed tonight that TLC is broadcasting episodes featuring morbidly and supermorbidly obese people.

Genius.

Assholes.

TLC knows that today is the day when people make themselves feel better by making resolutions to lose weight…why not throw a little fear into us at the same time?  A little sensationalism surrounding a sore spot?  A little extra-special prodding for the occasion?

I’m all about resolutions.  I resolved just an hour or so ago to try to only buy organic, local meat after watching “Food, Inc.”  It had nothing to do with today being the first day of the New Year.  It had everything to do with me wanting to make my life better.

But, I don’t fault anyone for making New Year’s Resolutions…just don’t rely on them.  If you tie it to the new year and then mess up, don’t wait until next year to try again.  Wait until the morning, if you want, but then dust yourself off and try again.

Don’t forget that there will always be a reason to put off becoming healthier.  Many of the reasons are very seductive, not the least of which is that transition isn’t easy.  It’s not easy to change habits.  It’s not fun to change how we think…to correct ourselves from thinking that we’re denying ourselves something by not indulging.  It’s doesn’t seem fair to not eat with wanton abandonment like everyone else is eating. It certainly doesn’t make sense to skip something that tastes good in order to feel good…the concrete versus the abstract.  Where’s the instant gratification to that?

Make yourself feel better by doing it…instead of resolving to do it.

Then, notice that you did it…and give yourself a little gratitude.  Instantly.