As the New Year fast approaches, the #1 resolution year after year is weight loss. Unfortunately, according to surveys, only 8% of us keep our resolutions. A whopping 45% fail by the end of January. Are you focusing on the right thing? What do you want to get out of your resolution? How about more than just weight loss? How about focusing on feeling better, having more energy, improving your sleep, reducing stress, or improving your health? If you start moving just to feel better and to have some fun, you might be surprised, the weight might just come off. Make a date with yourself, put it in your planner and just do it! Don’t think about it. The more you think about it, the more likely you are to talk yourself out of it.
I read an interesting article the other day about “making time to workout” and how people say they have no time. The article mentioned that most of us have time, it just depends on how one wants to spend that time. For example, if you were given $100 to work out for an hour a day, or even 30 minutes, you would find time to get that workout in, wouldn’t you? I found that interesting. Maybe that is the way we need to think about it? Being unhealthy cost money, time and totally stinks, so why not invest in being healthy? Why not have a better quality of life? Take control of your health instead of your health controlling you!
Author and columnist Andrea Rains Waggener points out three things people need to consider before they make a resolution for change:
- What is the point of the resolution?
- Why is the change needed?
- Does the desire for change come from the inside or is it being asserted by some outside force?
Waggener explains how the answers to these questions will determine whether or not a resolution will be successful. The wrong answers lead to failure. The right ones pave the way to success.
Below are some ideas to help you keep your weight loss/fitness resolution, or as I like to say, your lifestyle.
1. Have fun! Find an activity you enjoy. If you don’t know what you enjoy, try it all — there are tons of options. Fitness classes (e.g., TurboKick, Zumba, kickboxing, strength fusion, etc.), dance lessons, martial arts, sports (e.g., tennis, basketball, volleyball, swimming, etc.), competitive or just for fun running events (e.g., 3k, 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon, etc.), you name it.
2. Get a workout buddy. You are more likely to keep your workout dates if you have a buddy waiting for you at class or at the gym.
3. Hire a personal trainer. If you need to be held accountable, are new to fitness and aren’t sure what to do, want someone else to help motivate and educate you, or simply ensure you are performing exercises properly, a trainer might be a great option for you.
4. Support. Getting support from your spouse, family, friends or co-workers is very important. If people are not supportive of your goals, you will have a harder time achieving them, so get them on board!
5. Resolution contract. Maybe you need a contract to help keep you committed? Once you print it out, write down your resolutions, frame it and put it where you will see it daily. http://www.goalsguy.com/Events/n_contract.html
6. Vision board. Cutting out pictures and/or words of what you want to come into your life this year can help keep you focused. The Law of Attraction seems to work for many. Just remember, you have to believe you deserve it, want it with all your heart, soul and mind and already see it happening. http://www.thesecret.tv/
Strive to move forward this year. You will not only look better, but you will feel better mentally, physically and emotionally.
Good luck and remember you can make a resolution any month out of the year, it doesn’t have to be just in January.
Comment below on the biggest challenge you have that keeps you from reaching your goal?
Shine Brightly,
Ali
