Will you keep your resolution this year?

As we step into the new year, it’s that time again: resolutions are made with the gusto of a motivational speaker and broken with the speed of coffee spilling on your work laptop. For me, it started with the resolution I once deemed beneath my commitment to constant self-improvement: giving up sugar. Oh yes, the irony of the resolution cynic succumbing to the clichéd “New Year, New Me” narrative is not lost on me.

I’ve always believed in staying consistent year-round. I hit the gym, avoid junk food, and maintain a BMI that would make any doctor smile. My one Achilles’ heel? Chocolate after lunch. Every lunch. Without fail. Some call it a sweet tooth; I call it a genetically coded Indian habit. How do you say no to that tiny square of happiness whispering, “You deserve this”? Spoiler alert: you don’t.

So, when my blood test results suggested I was prediabetic, it felt like someone had yanked the chocolate bar out of my hand and replaced it with a kale smoothie. The numbers were an alarm bell: “Diabetes is knocking.” This was no longer about a little indulgence; it was about health, energy, and keeping my pancreas happy. Begrudgingly, I decided to make the boldest resolution of my life: a sugar-free month.

Let me tell you, giving up sugar was not the enlightening wellness journey Instagram posts promised. It was a nightmare. I turned into a grumpier version of myself. Friends distanced themselves, and colleagues tiptoed around me like I was a landmine about to detonate. My poor husband found every excuse to extend his hours at work — or so I like to imagine. Let’s just say, I wasn’t exactly easy to be around during my sugarless days.

But here’s the thing: amidst the tantrums and cravings, I noticed small wins. My clothes fit better. My energy didn’t plummet after lunch. I even discovered a world of healthier dessert alternatives that, while not chocolate, were surprisingly satisfying. Once I got over the initial bitterness — pun intended — I realised I wasn’t just losing weight; I was gaining control over my habits.

Fast forward a few years, and while I’m no saint, the lessons from that sugar-free month have stuck. These days, if I need to shed a few kilos, I know exactly what to do. Cutting sugar is no longer a chore but a tool I can rely on. The occasional indulgence? Absolutely — life’s too short not to savour a good dessert. But I’ve learned that balance, not perfection, is what really counts.

So, here’s my takeaway for anyone embarking on a New Year’s resolution, sugar-related or otherwise: it’s not about getting it right every single day. It’s about showing up, trying your best, and celebrating the small victories — even if that means swapping your chocolate bar for a handful of almonds. Progress isn’t linear, but it’s always worth it.

To all my fellow sweet-toothed resolution-makers: you’ve got this. Just don’t forget to warn your loved ones — they’ll need all the patience they can muster!