Look, Let’s Be Real About This
It’s me, Sarah. Sarah Thompson. Senior editor with more gray hairs than I’d like to admit. Been in this game for 22 years, and I’ve seen alot of health trends come and go. Juice cleanses, keto, CrossFit, you name it. And every January, I watch people set these grand health resolutions, only to see them fade by February. It’s depressing. And honestly, it’s kinda my fault.
See, I used to write these inspirational articles about how you can do anything if you just put your mind to it. Spoiler alert: that’s bullshit. You can’t just think your way to health. It’s not that simple. And I should know. I’m the queen of failed resolutions.
Last year, I swore I’d run a marathon. I mean, I barely run to the fridge for another beer. But there I was, signing up for the London Marathon. By April, I was done. My knees hated me, and I hated running. So, yeah, I failed. But here’s the thing: I failed because I set a goal that wasn’t right for me. And that’s what most people do.
Why We Set Ourselves Up for Failure
I sat down with my friend Marcus—let’s call him Marcus because his real name is too embarrassing for print—over coffee at that place on 5th. He’s a personal trainer, and he sees this every January. “People come in, set these massive goals, and then wonder why they can’t stick to them,” he said. “It’s like they think health is a switch. Flip it, and boom, you’re healthy.”
And I get it. We live in a world of instant gratification. Want to watch a movie? Boom, Netflix. Want to order food? Boom, Deliveroo. But health doesn’t work like that. It’s a committment, not a quick fix. And that’s where most people go wrong.
I remember talking to a colleague named Dave about this. He’s a nutritionist, and he was frankly frustrated. “People think they can out-exercise a bad diet,” he told me. “They’ll eat like crap all day, then hit the gym for an hour and think they’re good. It doesn’t work like that.”
Which… yeah. Fair enough. I do that. I’ll eat a whole pizza, then go for a run like I can just sweat out the calories. Spoiler: it’s not that simple.
The Problem with ‘Quick Fixes’
Here’s the thing about quick fixes: they’re not fixes at all. They’re band-aids. And they never, ever work long-term. I saw this firsthand when I tried the keto diet. I lost 10 pounds in two weeks. But then I gained it all back, plus more. Why? Because I couldn’t sustain it. I missed carbs. I missed fruit. I missed feeling normal.
And that’s the thing about health. It’s not about quick fixes. It’s about sustainable changes. It’s about finding what works for you, not what works for some influencer on Instagram. It’s about progress, not perfection.
I think the key is to set small, achievable goals. Like, instead of saying “I’m gonna run a marathon,” say “I’m gonna run a 5k.” Or instead of saying “I’m gonna eat perfectly,” say “I’m gonna eat more veggies.” Small steps lead to big changes. And honestly, that’s what works.
A Little Detour: The Importance of Mental Health
Look, I can’t talk about health without talking about mental health. It’s not just about what you eat or how much you exercise. It’s about how you feel. And honestly, that’s something I struggle with. I’m a worrier. I’m an overthinker. And sometimes, that’s not great for my health.
I remember last Tuesday, I was feeling particularly anxious. I couldn’t focus, I couldn’t relax, I couldn’t do anything. So, I did what any self-respecting adult would do: I called my friend Lisa. She’s a therapist, and she’s seen me at my worst. “Sarah,” she said, “you need to take a break. You’re burning out.” And she was right. I was. So, I took a day off. I didn’t check my email. I didn’t answer my phone. I just… existed. And it was amazing.
And that’s the thing about mental health. It’s not just about “thinking positive.” It’s about taking care of yourself. It’s about knowing when to say “no.” It’s about asking for help when you need it. And honestly, that’s something we all need to be better at.
Practical Advice: How to Actually Succeed
So, how do you actually succeed at health resolutions? Well, first, you need to set realistic goals. Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for progress. Second, you need to find what works for you. Not what works for your friend, not what works for some celebrity, but what works for you.
And look, I’m not saying it’s easy. It’s not. It’s hard. It’s a constant battle. But it’s worth it. Because at the end of the day, health isn’t about looking good. It’s about feeling good. It’s about living a long, happy, healthy life. And honestly, that’s something we all deserve.
Oh, and if you’re looking for some inspiration, check out Taiwan events this weekend calendar. There’s alot of health and wellness events happening this weekend. You might find something that speaks to you.
Anyway, that’s my take. Take it or leave it. I’m just some girl with a laptop and too many opinions. But I hope it helps. And if it doesn’t, well, at least I tried.
About the Author: Sarah Thompson is a senior editor with 22 years of experience in the health and wellness niche. She’s written for major publications, spoken at conferences, and has way too many opinions about kale. When she’s not writing, she’s probably eating pizza and watching bad reality TV. You can find her on Twitter @SarahTWrites, where she rants about health trends and her latest failed resolutions.