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The New Year is
quickly creeping up on us. Do you have a New Year's Resolution?
Well, if you're like most (88 percent in 2001 according to a GNC
poll), you have at least one resolution. And, if you are like the
majority of these promise-makers, your resolution is probably
related to health and fitness. In 2001 (according to GNC), 55
percent promised to eat healthier, 50 percent resolved to exercise
more, and 38 percent wanted to lose weight.
While resolutions are well-intentioned, unfortunately most people
fail at keeping them. With all the hype surrounding these promises,
it's easy to get caught up in it without really taking them
seriously.
We live in a throw-away society and even our resolutions, I'm
afraid, are not immune. However, especially for promises that
include improving our health, it's in our best interest not to take
them lightly.
So, what's the secret to successful resolutions? While you can't
wave a magic wand and make your resolution come true, there are some
easy steps to take that will make it easier to fulfill your promise
to yourself.
* Choose an obtainable goal. Resolving to look like a super model is
not realistic for the majority of us, but promising to include daily
physical activity in our lives is very possible.
* Avoid choosing a resolution that you've been unsuccessful at
achieving year after year. This will only set you up for failure,
frustration and disappointment. If you are still tempted to make a
promise that you've made before, then try altering it. For example,
instead of stating that you are going to lose 30 pounds, try
promising to eat healthier and increase your weekly exercise.
* Create a game plan. At the beginning of January, write a
comprehensive plan. All successful businesses start with a business
plan that describes their mission and specifics on how they will
achieve it. Write your own personal plan and you'll be more likely
to succeed as well.
* Break it down and make it less intimidating. Rather than one BIG
end goal, dissect it into smaller pieces. Set several smaller goals
to achieve throughout the year that will help you to reach the
ultimate goal. Then, even if you aren't able to reach your final
goal, you will have many smaller, but still significant,
achievements along the way. For example, if your goal is to complete
a 10K race, your smaller goals could be running a 5K in less than 30
minutes, adding upper and lower body strength training to increase
your muscular endurance, and running 2 miles with a personal best
completion time.
* Make contingency options: Don't assume sticking to your plan will
be smooth sailing. Plan on hitting bumps along the resolution road
and be prepared with specific ways to overcome them. What will keep
you from skipping your workout or stop you from having a cigarette?
This may mean seeking help from family or a professional, writing in
a journal, etc.
* Give it time: Most experts agree that it takes about 21 days to
create a habit and six months for it to actually become a part of
your daily life.
* Reward yourself with each milestone. If you've stuck with your
resolution for 2 months, treat yourself to something special. But,
be careful of your reward type. If you've lost 5 pounds, don't give
yourself a piece of cake as an award. Instead, treat yourself to
something non-food related, like a professional massage.
* Ask friends and family members to help you so you have someone to
be accountable to. Just be sure to set limits so that this doesn't
backfire and become more irritating than helpful. For example, if
you resolve to be more positive ask them to gently remind you when
you start talking negatively.
* Don't go it alone! Get professional assistance. Everyone needs
help and sometimes a friend just isn't enough. Sometimes you need
the help of a trained professional. Don't feel that seeking help is
a way of copping out. Especially when it comes to fitness, research
studies have shown that assistance from a fitness professional
greatly improves people's success rate.
* Limit your number of promises. You'll spread yourself too thin
trying to make multiple changes in your life. This will just lead to
failure of all of the resolutions.
* Test your flexibility: Realize that things change frequently. Your
goals and needs may be very different in April then they were when
you made your resolution in January. Embrace change, even if that
means that your resolution is altered.
* Keep a journal: A journal helps you recognize your positive steps
and makes it harder to go back to the same old habits.
On average only about 20% of us keep our New Year's resolutions.
Unfortunately, some of the biggest failures are found in fitness
resolutions. But don't let the statistics get you down. By following
the tips above you'll be better equipped to fall into the successful
20% category.
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