“The problem with New Year’s resolutions – and resolutions to ‘get in better shape’ in general, which are very amorphous – is that people try to adopt too many behavioural changes at once. It doesn’t work.”
While we’re not familiar with the rest of business podcaster Tim Ferriss’s work (and we only just came across him by Googling ‘Quotes on New Years resolutions’) we’d say he’s bang on there. All too often we set tedious tasks for ourselves, have a bit of a miserable start to the year and then eventually go back to our wicked ways.
Resolutions… no thanks. So what about just coming up with a load of fun stuff that, all-going-well, we might be able to get round to over the course of the year? That’s how these outdoors men and women seem to be approaching 2018 anyway.
Alan Hinkes
Only Briton to have climbed all 14 of the world’s 8000m peaks, Fjällräven amabassador.
“I might complete all the Wainwrights in the Lake District & explore a few nooks & crannies of the Fells I’ve never been to. I’m also hoping to get some good ice climbing in on Ben Nevis & rock climbing on dry rock. There’s a tentative plan to go to the ‘Mountains of the Moon’ – the Rwenzori Mountains between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
Elise Downing
Completed a solo, unsupported run around the coast of Britain.
“I’d like to try and squeeze a bit more adventure into everyday life, whether that’s going to explore a new park in London after work (rather than running the same boring routes over and over and over) or heading somewhere new nearby for a weekend. I don’t have tonnes of time for big, exciting trips this year but I don’t want to let that stop me spending time outdoors.”
Mary-Ann Ochota
Presenter, writer and Hillwalking Ambassador for the British Mountaineering Council.
“This year’s going to be a bit special, as I’m expecting a baby! I’m going to try and keep active and get outside as much as possible so I’ve resolved to try and complete the #EverestAnywhere challenge where you add up the ascent of any walk you do to reach a grand total of 8848m – equivalent to the highest mountain on Earth. If I don’t make it before the baby arrives, he or she will have to accompany me for the ’summit push’!”