New Years Fitness Resolutions- Think small

New Years resolutions- with the drop of the ball the apathetic become instantly overzealous. Those that have been slow and steady all year long suddenly seem to be the lazy ones losing the race. People that haven't found enough reason to be motivated all year are suddenly following the crowd to the gym and swearing off junk food only to find themselves bored and "over it" by Febuary. I too have been a part of this phenomenon-doing more wishing than I was really willing, or realistically able to work for.
It's easy to question if there is any good in these far fetched New Years dreams at all. Without this feeling of fitness failure every year would the general population have greater self efficacy and a firmer belief in themselves as capable exercisers? Does society's binge/purge model of physical fitness leave us feeling bloated, creating more of an aversion to exercise than a habit?
It may be better to try and fail than to never try. It could easily be argued that these few weeks weeks of whole hearted attempts at physical activity is better than nothing. New Years is a time of introspection, usually leading to an honorable yearning to be better. It's a time of year where everyone is able to turn a new leaf. It is a time where we can start new and leave our less motivated self (and hopefully a few unwanted pounds) behind. Even those decidedly non-exercisers or self declared "too busy" to exercise are usually confronted with a needed feeling of guilt or self-evaluation.
I've put a lot of thought into it all and still haven't come to any likeable conclusion, and if nothing else, for me it's a bit of job security in these bad economic times. But until then, I've convinced myself to be resolved just like everyone else and wish for miraculous things in 2009. After all, who's stopping us? Only ourselves. Good Luck on all your fitness goals. Happy New Year 2009!