New Years Fitness Resolutions and how not to break them!

The New Year is an opportunity for fresh starts – to set goals and renew previous commitments. Improving fitness levels is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions, yet so many struggle to maintain it!  Research indicates that more than two-thirds give up within two months.

Here are some practical tips to help you stick to your New Year’s resolutions & health goals and make 2012 your healthiest yet!!

                                                

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1  Prioritise and schedule time for regular exercise.

The hardest part about exercising is often getting ready for exercise – such as travelling to the gym or getting changed! Plan ahead by writing down all of your essential weekly commitments into your calendar. If you simply view exercise as a ‘bonus’ part of your weekly routine, you’ll be less likely to find excuses. Also try and get a friend to come along so its a social thing and you can support each other.

·         2. Choose a gym, running track or cycling route close to your home – or en-route to/from your normal commute.

Because the ‘getting there’ issue is so important, its  recommended you select a gym (or other relevant setting for exercise) in an accessible location so that you’ll be less-likely to be put off by factors such as bad weather, traffic, safety concerns, etc. Even if your nearest gym costs more for a membership, research indicates that you’ll be more likely to use it – making it well worth it! Or you can run, cycle or skate for free in your local park. You don't have to sign up to expensive gyms to get fit. But what you do need is self-motivation. Classes are a way to encourage healthy life patterns and meet new people so you are more likely to keep it up rather than exercising alone in the beginning. Once it becomes a way of life you will not be anle to live without the buzz that exercise gives you!! You will probably happily run, dance or whatever alone then :)

·        3 Don’t rely on your level of motivation or emotions. Just do it!

Action is generally the prerequisite for motivation, not the other way around. If you think you need to wait for some inspiration before you start your new exercise routine and/or nutritional plan, you could be waiting for a long time.  Many sources suggest that new habits take a minimum of three consistent weeks to form, and sometimes longer. Some days you won’t feel like it-fact. But try to see it as a job that you have to do in order to care for your body.

                                                  

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·        4.Write down your long and short-term fitness goals, including detailed steps.

Writing down your New Year’s resolution – including both long and short-term goals, as well as the steps involved in reaching them – can increase motivation and reduce the risk of giving up. Be realistic....Rome wasn’t built in a day!

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5.  5 Aim low to begin with!

Many New Year’s resolutions aim to change way too much, way too soon – and are soon completely abandoned due to unrealistic commitments and goals, as well as due to insufficient ‘how-to’ information. A personal trainer can help you stay motivated and guide you.

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·        6. If you can’t resist temptation, take it out of the kitchen!:

Human beings are influenced by the five senses – touch, taste, smell, sound, and sight! There is nothing wrong with having treats sometimes. But make sure you don’t have stashes of junk food around the house as it will become an emotional crutch. Also when you do have those treats they will be a real reward.

                                                          

·        7.Reward yourself!

As you complete some of the many steps involved in achieving your  health goal, reward yourself! A little of what you fancy does you good. A massage at a spa, or a new out-fit, a trip out somewhere new will seem all the more special if you know you have worked hard on your health to get it.

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·        8 Periodically re-evaluate your New Year’s resolution.

Frequently our life circumstances change. It’s important that our goals (and steps for achieving them) are flexible enough to change too. While a New Year’s resolution might be set in a single day, it’s achieved by completing multiple steps over a prolonged period of time. As you exercise more you will perhaps find you enjoy certain things more than others so you goal/routine will change. By looking at your original New Years health resolution you can also see if you are still on track.

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·         9 .Don’t be a perfectionist!

Don’t beat yourself up over the occasional slip – whether it involved missing a few too many workouts, or ‘giving in’ to your diet on a Friday night while out with friends. Expect to slip-up from time to time, and when it happens, just get right back on track immediately afterwards.

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10 Tell your family, friends and colleagues so you have a support network.

Find somebody with a similar goal, and keep one another accountable by checking in with each other regularly to make sure you’re both on-track. Tell your friends and family of your goal so you get extra support on your health journey.

                                                        

Finally enjoy it and have fun! 2012 is your year!

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