When it comes to resolutions, there are two types of resolution-makers: those who make them with a plan to keep them and those who make them with a plan to fail and make the same ones next year. This is the population I am mainly addressing today. Specifically, if you had any resolutions that dealt with eating, exercise, or general health, read on.
Why wait until 2009? Nine months of poor eating, little to no exercise and wrong choices can contribute to an unhealthy and even miserable end of 2008.
Let’s do this. Let’s start over with our resolutions. Here are some thoughts about making some adjustments to the actual resolution itself.
Be honest with yourself.
People fail by setting their sights too high. Refrain from planning too many workout and diet changes that are impossible to follow.
Are you willing to do what it takes to reach your goals? Are you willing to change your eating habits? Will you give up eating out everyday and bring lunch from home? Be honest about which of these components you will commit to.
Be flexible.
You may need to change the time or type of workout. If you don’t have the usual hour, don’t quit the program. Ten minutes a day is better than nothing while you are going through a schedule change or busier season.
If you blow your diet, don’t throw your hands up and go back to old habits. Start fresh the next day (or better yet the next meal), and stop beating yourself up.
Make a commitment to yourself.
Decide to make healthier choices. This is something you must reinforce everyday. Plan and prepare the night before. Motivate yourself by reminding yourself throughout your day about your workout plans and how great you feel and look at your goal weight.
Be accountable to yourself and a friend or partner. Keep a journal to record your food intake and your exercise progress.
Remember your goals.
Keep motivational pictures, quotes or sayings on your mirror, in your car, at your desk. Remind yourself of the big picture.
Discipline
Everyone is disciplined in one area or another. Work, play, school, church – there is an area you choose to be disciplined in. Take that same discipline and shift it to your health.
Make exercise a habit – same time everyday, meet a partner for a walk, stop at the gym after work, walk the dog.
Successful weight loss and improved health doesn’t start with your body, it starts with your mind. You first make a quality decision to lose the weight, improve your fitness level and maintain your health.
Speak confidently about your plans. Be positive about your future and don’t let those negative thoughts and words destroy that dream and goal you are determined to achieve in 2008.