Laura Clark / Nelson County Times
Published: February 6, 2008

Any sensible person wouldn't make one to begin with. What is a NYR but another task on a long list of things-to-do that you will inevitably lose or abandon by Super Bowl Sunday anyway-

So forget the New Year-New You thing. Overrated. Overwhelming.

The concept is what's important: you can start over, set a goal, fail and start over again. Do this enough and you might just break the cycle and end up with a healthy habit. So if you balked at the traditional self-transformation hoopla, maybe I can get you moving by sharing what keeps this stubborn, cranky columnist motivated.

First, it's all about attitude. When trying to plod through a two-mile jog, it is not a good idea to berate yourself for certain jiggly body parts or flash back to the day you split your favorite pair of pants bending over for change at the grocery store. Huff and puff to your own personal cheerleader, like the little engine that could. Positive: realizing you just climbed stairs without breaking a sweat. Negative: Victoria's Secret catalog. Burn it now.

Second, enlist support. Better yet, make it a family thing. Playing HORSE in the driveway with your kid is a start. Spend your lunch break walking and talking with a friend or co-worker. My fianc- may be able to run faster and farther than me, but it means a lot that he'll stick with me for a mile or so.

Third, commit to something. Yes, we're a rural community, but there are a couple options for classes through the community centers or parks and recreation departments.

Try something new, like yoga at the Rockfish Valley Community Center or ballroom dancing at the Nelson Center. One of the area's greatest resources is the Appalachian Trail. The Natural Bridge A.T. Club hikes are great way to spend a weekend morning and meet new people.

Or find a cause, like the various charity runs in Lynchburg or Charlottesville. In a few weeks I'm running a 5K. I surely won't win my age group, but my goal is just to finish the thing.

Fourth, reward yourself. This step is my favorite. I'm addicted to Smartwool socks, which keep my feet comfy and dry, hiking or running. Since it's winter, and I've been running for three weeks, I got a pair of out-of-style tapered pants. They may zip at the ankle, but I look like a runner. Reward, bribe, whatever keeps you moving so long as you don't go into debt.

It's February now, the shortest month of the year, and an excellent chunk of time to quit finding excuses and start moving.

In a few weeks you may have formed a habit that begins contaminating the rest of your life with healthy little perks: sleeping soundly at night, choosing nutritious snacks - smiling, in spite of a deadline.

Well, one can hope.

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