We are just week away from one of the most popular New Year's resolution most people make--> the plan to lose weight - start working out - eat healthier - etc. We all have the best of intentions when we set our resolutions but unfortunately most people don't keep their New Year's resolution. Research has shown that, after six months, fewer than half the people who make New Year's resolutions have stuck with them, and, after a year, that number declines to around ten percent. A New Year's resolution to lose weight and/or to adapt a healthier lifestyle (or any resolution you make) does NOT have to be doomed for failure.
The key to making a successful New Year’s resolution is a person’s confidence that they can make a behavior change and the commitment to making that change. The below are my solutions for successfully keeping your resolutions this year and ever year thereafter.
You must be realistic when setting your personal fitness goals. Rather than concentrating on the end result, set several smaller goals. Take it one day at a time. Remember your fitness goal will not happen overnight. Take as many baby steps as you need and know as long as you are moving in the right direction, your personal fitness goals will be achieved.
If each New Year’s resolution’s is the same and each year you don’t succeed. Set a NEW resolution. Set yourself up to succeed not fail.
Don’t change everything all at once
Adapting a healthier lifestyle is all about changing habits. If you want to become more active AND eating healthier…pick one. Changing your lifestyle all at once is a recipe for disaster. You must realign your priorities. Initial attempts to succeed are limited until you change your habits and make the time for your new commitment. You must understand in order to see a change; you need to make a change.
Educate yourself
It is the utmost importance to know what you are doing before you start any kind of workout regiment or modifying your diet. You do not want to injure yourself, burn out or get discouraged. Unfortunately, media has saturated people’s minds on what to eat, what not to eat. Gain muscle this way….do this workout…do that workout. Your healthy lifestyle is all about you. Everyone’s lifestyle is different. Everybody’s body is different. One way of eating may work for your friend but not necessarily for you. Your co-workers workout regimen may be for his/her goals but not yours. In order to successfully adapt a healthy lifestyle, you must do what is enjoyable to you. You must eat foods that you enjoy. Find exercises that you enjoy. There is something out there for everyone. You just have to look for it. If you do anything that is not enjoyable, inconvenient, dreadful….you will not continue to do it. Ask questions that specifically pertain to your goals. To ensure you have the correct answers to your questions, turn to fitness professional or the Internet.
Do it for yourself
Do it for yourself
Your fitness goals should be based on what YOU want. Do not let distractions get in your way. Treat your workout time like you would a doctor’s appointment. Your health needs to remain a top priority – if you don’t have your health then all else will suffer.
Have a support system
Your support can come from work, home and/or at a fitness club. Without the proper support, these changes will become more challenging as time goes on. Find a friend/co-worker that wants the same “changes” or has the same goals as you. Surround yourself with like-mind people. You will not only motivate each other but hold each other accountable.
Stay Positive
Everyone falls off the wagon at some point. You will have a bad day of eating and/or miss a workout and when that happens, you should not be discouraged. Remind yourself you are human and “mistakes” will happen. The trick is not having that bad “meal” turn into a bad week/month of eating poorly or missing a workout to being missing weeks/months of workouts. Get back on track as soon as possible. Recognize why the “mistake” happened and learn from it so you can avoid the mistake again.
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