I am a person who thrives off of setting goals. I like to think realistically about the path ahead of me and break it down into the steps I need to take in order for it to be a walkable one. Sometimes it’s planning to brush some of the leaves out of the way on the path, tightening the laces on my shoes as I go, or just stopping every once in a while to soak up the view around me. 

My resolutions for 2024 are reminders to myself as I continue on my path. This is my last semester at Jewell, so of course I have graduating as a resolution. I also have reminders for myself because I know a goal isn’t as easy to manifest as it is to write it down. The reminders are going to keep propelling me through the tough days and allow me to realize how far I’ve come since the fall of 2020 when I first started at Jewell. When I stray from my path or want to stop walking it completely, these resolutions are my signposts.

Another resolution of mine is to save money and replenish my savings. I had a similar goal for 2023, but I am carrying it over into the new year because I want to continue to be conscious about my finances and work on improving my spending habits. I have some goals in 2023 that I felt I achieved but are still worth rolling over into this year simply because I felt they were good for me and are worthy skills to keep cultivating. 

One of those goals included feeling my emotions fiercely instead of bottling them up. For years, I have suppressed my true feelings and have let a numbing state wash over me when it came to looking my past in the face. That came back to bite me in the ass in moments where I felt overwhelmed when I allowed myself to feel anything at all. That is when I made a vow to myself to take whatever time I need to process things the way that I feel fit (taking time to cry, to journal, to truly feel my anger or sadness towards a situation, etc.) Another resolution that I rolled over into this year was taking the time to stop and live in the present moment as often as possible. I lost someone really close to me in my life, and that reminds me to be grateful for every day I have, even if it is an utterly mundane day.

My final resolution is to speak up for myself and speak my mind. In a group setting, I don’t usually tend to speak up when something bothers me, and I think that my kindness is often taken for weakness. This will be a more challenging goal for me because I am not a confrontational person, but I know growth will come hand in hand with discomfort.

Overall, I know that 2024 is going to bring many new opportunities and growth, and I am ready to embrace it with open arms.

While 2021 may already look different than most years, one of the most common New Year’s resolutions has remained the same: lose weight. The lose weight resolution does not mention eating healthier or exercising more. The resolution has only one goal – to lower the number on the scale.

Stepping on a scale is part of many people’s daily routine, probably because many studies have shown that frequent weigh-ins are an effective way to keep weight off. These studies cite feelings of shame and fear as main reasons why constant visits to the scale help people lose weight. This argument implies a dangerous claim – that shame and fear are necessary to good health.

My resolution for 2021 is to never know my weight. I think stepping on a scale is one of the worst things a person can do for their health – and many nutritionists agree. Alissa Rumsey, a registered dietitian, argues that the scale does more harm than good. 

Rumsey mentions on her website that weight fluctuates frequently depending on hydration, hormones and muscle. Relying on external measurements makes it more difficult for someone to listen to their body’s hunger and thirst cues. A higher number on the scale due to muscle gain might discourage someone from working out.

Weight is not always an accurate portrayal of someone’s health. A study published by Arch Internal Medicine found that some people considered overweight actually have a healthy metabolic rate, low blood pressure and healthy cholesterol levels, while a quarter of thin participants had test results typically related to obesity and cardiovascular diseases.

A better way to decrease your risk for heart disease and improve your health is to work on fitness, not thinness. Improving your cardiovascular health starts with getting your heart rate up. Replace the daily weigh-in with a daily walk. Replace the scale with a wearable fitness tracker. Make your goal to run a few miles without stopping or do a cardio workout video three times a week, not to lose a certain number of pounds.

One of the most freeing things about getting rid of the scale is that it can help you eat intuitively. Intuitive eating is a method that focuses on listening to hunger cues and embracing a healthier relationship with food.

Intuitive eaters eat when they are hungry and stop when they are full. They do not restrict certain foods or obsess over weight but rather focus on eating whatever makes them have the most energy and joy. Most importantly, intuitive eaters aim to respect their body’s natural need for food and weight fluctuation.

Sometimes, the scale can be difficult to avoid. The best way to quit weighing yourself is to not own a scale. Sell it on Facebook marketplace, donate it or just put it someplace that is difficult to access. If you have a roommate who keeps a scale out, ask them if they could store it in a drawer or hide it from view.

When you go to the doctor, ask if you can be weighed with your back to the numbers. They should respect your wishes and not read your weight out loud.

I have given up the scale before and it was one of the best things I have ever done for my self-esteem. I felt healthier, liked working out more, obsessed over food less and had better body image.

However, with the stress of this past year I found myself returning to the scale. I quickly noticed a decline in my body image, which is why I made my 2021 resolution to abandon the scale. I already feel more in tune with my body and aware of how different foods and exercises make me feel. 

For me, changing up small parts of my routine can do wonders for my body image and mental health. However, sometimes these changes are not enough. It is okay to ask for professional help. If you are struggling with obsessive thoughts about food or your body, the best thing you can do for your health is to reach out to counseling services.