Your New Year's resolutions; one month later

To the left of me are tiny Tony's and maybe I just had two of them. An orange one and a white one (my goodness, I had no idea that white one was so tasty). This brings me to my point: it is January 30th and the good intentions are going just medium mwah-mwah.

Yes, I have not eaten meat for a week. Yes, I still go to the gym two times a week . Yes, I quit smoking and still don't smoke. But reducing food? I can't catch myself having great successes. Well, I did have a multigrain roll (that I did have) with a generous layer of peanut butter and a piece of licorice (or three) from the candy jar on Franska.nl's desk. The flow is not so strong.. Not surprising, by the way, because only 17 percent stick to their resolutions in January. I once wrote an essay.

on why September should actually be the month for resolutions and why you want to quit smoking in December. In January. you just want to be a little kinder to yourself. I find myself more in the candy mode around freezing point, an extra layer on the bread and around the hips, a weekend with a fireplace, wine, and a platter with five types of cheese, but in the meantime, I have to keep myself sweet with celery and a little broth for the big hunger. Wrap yourself up until you can't anymore. For my part, take your own jar of gherkins to your aunt's birthday, but prepare yourself. They almost stuff that cake down your throat, people want you to eat and fail. Don't participate, just keep nibbling on that gherkin, think of that bikini.

If you're thinking right now: I'm in the same fattening boat. Or you're craving a cigarette, you can do this. I have some easy yet very, very, very effective tips to ensure that you don't end up among that 83 percent.

1. One day not succeeded is just one day. That I had peanut butter, chocolate, and licorice today doesn't mean it won't work tomorrow. By the way, I also had a great day yesterday: no snacking and a healthy lunch. Tomorrow tighten the belt a bit and go.

2. This one is for the smokers: you are generally unhappier than a non-smoker. And I find that quite confronting to hear. The substances in a cigarette make you so unhappy that you think you need one to be happy again. Mindfuck, a gi-ga mindfuck. Leave the mindfuck behind you.

3. Make it small. Don't think that after a night's sleep you've lost ten kilos, but start realistically. If after two or three months you're five kilos down, then order a very large pizza, eat it, and go for ten. Small goals are easier to achieve.

4. Throw parties for your success. I'm currently torturing myself with the kilos, but I've saved almost three hundred euros on cigarettes. And I think that's worth a pat on the back (or a new pair of pants).

5. If you think now: I'm in the same fattening boat. Or you're craving a cigarette, you can do this. I have some easy yet very, very, very effective tips to ensure that you don't.