Have you ever watched the ball drop over Times Square at midnight (or in my case, watched a livestream of fireworks at 9pm from a different time zone so you could go to bed by 10pm), toasted to a Happy New Year and the next morning wake up, step on the scale and see that you had put on weight over the holiday season? I’ve done it!
I was on another fad diet and had been pretty “good” all holiday season. It started in October (okay, the end of September) with just the bite-size version of Halloween candy…they’re so small they don’t count, right? Then, I even made the fat-free, sugar-free, and taste-free versions of my favorite holiday treats. But as soon as the parties and get-togethers were over, I stepped on the scale and saw that I had actually gained weight. Unfortunately, the cycle started over again on January 1st when I’d say things like:
I resolve to lose 20 pounds this year.
I resolve to eat healthier.
I resolve to give up sugar.
I resolve to exercise more.
Have you started a new year with the same good intentions I have? Maybe joined a gym and ran yourself bored on the treadmill for only a couple weeks, and then cancelled your membership? Or started another diet that made you feel so deprived and hungry that you found yourself destroying a pint of ice cream after dinner every night or totally “blowing it” every time you went out to eat. Then that feeling of guilt and defeat set in. That’s why I hate New Year’s resolutions, they eventually make me feel like a failure.
Resolutions are goals set without intuitive intentions.
You just asked, “Jessica, what is an intuitive intention?” -- Please let me explain.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, intuition is "the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning." Intuition is the feeling or sense of what you know is right or needs to be done. Intention is defined as “the state of mind of one who aims to bring about a particular consequence.” Intention is putting purpose and thought behind your actions.
This is so much more than just stating resolutions. Inuitive Intentions mean you
recognizing your why
set your aim
map your path to success
Intuition and intention are key components of my WIN the Day practices.
When setting any goal, the first step is to have a clearly defined end result; this is the intention. Intuition helps you gain an understanding of why you want a certain outcome, and helps you identify what will work best for you to achieve that goal based on how you feel physically and emotionally. Then take the actions you know to be right for you.
As an example of how this might look and be reframed from a resolution to an intuitive intention:
Resolution = I will exercise more this year.
Intuitive Intentions = I feel out of breath going about my daily chores and know if I don’t improve my fitness, my quality of life will decline further. I will start a daily walking routine on January 1, 2024. I will walk 20 minutes on my treadmill every mornings after breakfast, followed by 5 minutes of stretching. I will walk at a pace that brings my exertion level to a point where I am not able to hold a conversation. These exercise sessions are important appointments and commitments to my wellbeing and will help improve my cardiovascular health, increase my stamina and make daily life easier.
In the Intuitive Intention, a current state and desired outcome have been identified in detail. Precise actions have been clearly defined. We understand why we want this outcome, the specific result and the course of action to be taken to achieve success.
I love this season of holiday cheer, celebrations and spending time with family and friends. This is a time of gratitude and reflection. And as you reflect on the past year, consider how you will begin the year to come. This New Year's Eve, when the ball drops over Times Square and the fireworks are ignited, I will make a toast to good health and prosperity. Then, instead of declaring an arbitrary resolution, join me and also set your intuitive intentions with the purpose of what you want and how you will achieve your results.
If you need any guidance as you set your intuitive intentions for the new year, or any time you want to make a change to improve your fitness, please feel free to reach out, email or message me. I'd love to hear from you.
Cheers! Wishing you good health and prosperity this year and in the years to come!
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