Getting the jump on New Year's resolutions

It is the time of the year when many of us are preparing for New Year’s resolutions. When many of us are deciding what to resolve, we think about adopting whatever fad diets are out there, buying and renewing gym memberships, purchasing workout gear, and convincing ourselves this will be the year we will finally lose weight once and for all. I grew up watching the “New Year, New You” week-long segments on Good Morning America during the 1990s.

I am one of the many people with New Year’s resolutions. Weight loss transformation is top on my resolutions for 2020. I am currently getting a head start a month early, racing to beat the weight loss seekers and gym rats to the cardio and weight training machines and locker room spaces. 

I envision: adopting a 100-percent plant-based lifestyle, reversing health issues, returning to writing, doing less social media time on Facebook Live, researching for my book on African-American soap opera history, employing holistic healing and self-care, developing a stronger sense of self, and applying for a driver’s permit and a U.S. passport. While these may be my New Year’s resolutions, everyone has their own New Year’s resolutions which show up in different ways. The mind-body connection resonates with me when I think of New Year’s resolutions now.

The Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In The Sun and Be Your Own Person by television series creator Shonda Rhimes centers on her journey from being known as the private creator of Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, Scandal, How to Get Away With Murder, and Station 19 to stepping out of her comfort zone to open herself to new opportunities and possibilities.

True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself by entertainer and actress Janet Jackson with David Ritz deals with Janet’s weight and body image issues and how she came to terms with loving herself in the skin she is in.

Finding Sarah: A Duchess’s Journey to Find Herself by Sarah “Fergie” Ferguson, Dutchess of York focuses on Sarah’s journey of rebuilding her life after her divorce from Prince Andrew. Her memoir became the source of Finding Sarah, a six-part documentary series on OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) in 2011.

LL Cool J Platinum 360 Diet and Lifestyle: A Full-Circle Guide to Developing Your Mind, Body, and Soul by hip-hop G.O.A.T., actor, and author LL Cool J is one of my favorite health and fitness books of all-time. He makes it all look easy.

Formula 50: A 6-Week Workout and Nutrition Plan That Will Transform Your Life by 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson) will work for those who want to get and look fit like he does. His physique has been cited as one of the best in the entertainment industry.

My mother Elizabeth and I saw life strategist Iyanla Vanzant present Get Over It!: Thought Therapy for Healing the Hard Stuff at King’s Theatre in Brooklyn last year as a Mother’s Day gift. Iyanla counsels readers to take ownership of their lives in the midst of pain, suffering, and trauma and leads them along their journey toward healing.

The Key to the Chakras: From Root to Crown – Advice and Exercises to Unlock Your True Potential by Vicki Howie guides readers on connecting to their chakras, the energy centers of the body.

Some people may want to write a book in 2020, so I recommend This Year You Write Your Novel, a creative writing manual by renowned author Walter Mosley. He demonstrates how anyone can write a novel within a year.

Rise and Grind: Out-Perform, Out-Work, and Out-Hustle Your Way to a More Successful and Rewarding Life by Daymond John takes readers on his journey as an entrepreneur from co-founding FUBU to inspiring and mentoring budding entrepreneurs on the hit ABC-TV show Shark Tank.

Building A Million Dollar Side Hustle by Juliana Richards is recommended for those who are looking for side hustles to make more money. Juliana came from humble beginnings as an immigrant from Nigeria to become the founder and CEO of Slim Girl Shapewear.

I was introduced to The Dave Ramsey Show on WOR (710 AM) by Elizabeth, a former patron at East Flatbush Library. Dave is a financial expert and coach who educates many people to get out of debt with his daughter Rachel Cruze and Ramsey personalities Chris Hogan, Anthony O’Neal, Christy Wright, and Ken Coleman. Those who are looking to free themselves from debt ought to read The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan For Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey.