We Say NO to Resolutions

Brace yourselves for this.

We don’t like New Year's resolutions. We know that goes against the grain, but like many things at Legacy MMA, we do things differently. Resolutions are fun and can (temporarily) motivate us but are often broken. Be real with yourself for a moment. When was the last time you kept your New Year resolution?

Most resolutions are along the lines of fitness. According to Insider, most people go to the gym in January and February. After that, gym habits wain. Resolutions break.

Instead of New Year's resolutions, we advocate for New Year habits. This is a more permanent, life-changing way of improving your life and the lives of your children. Habits change and evolve with your goals. They give you room to grow.  Here are some New Year habits you can begin right now.

2020 New Year Habits for Children

Discipline. We define discipline as training of some kind following a structured set of rules. Discipline can mean being obedient. It can mean training to meet a goal and sticking to it. Improved behavior falls under discipline.

Motivation and being driven. This is a good habit because we know life can be mundane. Motivation gives them reasons to not quit and complete tasks that have secondary benefits like improved self-esteem.

Dedication. We have a saying at Legacy MMA. “Children Don’t Quit. Parents Do.” Being dedicated and doing it to completion makes for healthy, well-rounded children and adults. Children feel good about themselves and self-esteem is boosted. Children are more confident after being dedicated to something and mastering it.

Focus. Being focused helps children in every aspect of their life, especially school.  Developing focus is a habit that can continue to improve with practice.

Physical fitness. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that children from ages 6-17 need 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Children can start developing healthy exercise habits in 2020 and easily reach this recommendation.

Parents Promoting Healthy Habits

One of the ways parents can help their children develop these healthy habits is with after school karate.  Studies have shown that martial arts has positive long-term academic impacts including dedication, motivation, and drive. Martial arts produces oxytocin which has positive, long term impacts on improving focus. For kids suffering attention disorders, after school karate can be a welcomed source of fun and relief.   

 2020 New Year Habits for Adults

Instead of making improved fitness and overall wellness a resolution, making it a habit will give you the flexibility to improve as you go. You’re not tied to a specific fitness activity and you can vary your approach. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says that adults need 2 ½ hours of moderate-intensity activity a week. You can get away with 1 hour and 15 minutes of intense activity per week.

Adding kickboxing classes twice a week at an hour each can help you meet the minimum requirement. Or you can opt for personal training, which we offer too. You just have to ask us about it.

So no more New Year resolutions. We’re focused on New Year habits. And if you don’t have those yet, you can start anytime…including now.