Deciding to take the leap is the first step! No one else can do it for you, the choice to take control of your health and fitness has to come from YOU. To be honest, I've never really been a fan of the “New Years Resolution”. Declaring some arbitrary rule for yourself, swearing away all of your vices and pledging to be a Saint for the next year? Good luck! That being said, using the New Years holiday as an opportunity to step back and evaluate what you are doing, how you are taking care of yourself, and how you can do better in the coming 12 months is a perfect way to jumpstart your 2014 fitness routine. Instead of a "resolution", set a series of goals. Make a plan, establish the end-goal and lay out a roadmap for getting there over the course of the next year, as opposed to setting a rule that almost seems made to be broken. Set goals within striking distance. Nothing fuels the fitness fire more than seeing results and once you hit that first milestone there will be no turning back.
Everyone’s starting point will be different and there isn’t one cookie-cutter New Years Resolution, Get Fit Plan. But whether you are starting from square one or just in a workout rut, these few strategies can help you lay out your own personal roadmap AND reach your ultimate destination.
#1. Write It Down
Studies have proven that your likelihood of achieving the goals you set for yourself go up exponentially by just writing them down. Yes, its as simple as it sounds, but if you write it down you are held accountable. Yikes! This isn’t a lipstick on the mirror, positive affirmation kind of thing- its a basic, old-school notepad list. Sit down and write one. Start with three realistic goals and list them out, specifically, on one page. If you haven't picked up your running shoes in the last 6 months, don’t write down “run a marathon”, instead try “run three times a week.” Specific and realistic versus long-term and open ended.
#2. Expect The Mis-Step
Yes its cliche but it’s true, no one is perfect! Things come up, life gets in the way, and every once in awhile you will be forced to miss that class or eat that piece of cake. Accept it and embrace it. Don’t let the missteps knock you off the rails and try to remember the plan, the map, and the ultimate goal. This is why I’m not a “Resolution” girl - too many rules. You don’t need to feel like a failure just because of an off day. Get back on the horse and keep moving forward, one piece of cake is not going to define your fitness success!
#3. Find A Buddy
Talk about accountability… The only thing worse than letting yourself down, is letting your friends down too! Find a buddy who you can count on. You don't have to have the same end goals or be the same fitness level- you simply need to have one common thread. Maybe it is getting out of bed for the 6am spin class, or going to yoga on Thursday nights. Find common ground that contributes to each of your individual fitness plans and commit to it. Set your schedule, pick a meeting place, and I promise your snooze button will become a thing of the past!
0 comments:
Post a Comment