Don't you just love the beginning of a New Year? It's the time for a fresh start, an opportunity to set new goals and get excited about achieving those aspirations over the next twelve months. When it comes to health and fitness this is the perfect occasion to commit to making some necessary lifestyle changes. Weight loss is, of course, one of the most popular resolutions to make, not surprising considering 60% of the American population is overweight or obese. Unfortunately when the end of the year rolls around most people have long since abandoned their New Years commitments. Here are some tips to help you make THIS the year that you finally follow through and experience your own personal fitness revolution!
1. Write out your goals. It is simple to say "I'm going to lose weight", but it is also far too easy to forget that you made this verbal commitment. Taking the time to write down exactly what it is that you want to achieve will allow you to make a strong mental commitment as well. Don't hide your list of ambitions away in a closet either. Your goals need to be placed somewhere that you can be reminded of them every single day. Developing a fit and healthy lifestyle is going to take time and commitment on your part so you need to remember on a daily basis what it is that you want to achieve.
2. Identify your motivators. Why do you want to lose weight and be more fit and healthy? The only way you are ever going to be able to stick to a weight loss resolution is if you have a solid grasp on what is motivating to make the changes to your eating and exercise habits. If your motivation is not powerful enough to get you over the daily obstacles and temptations that you are sure to face, you chances of success are slim. You must find the driving force behind your desire to change your body and your health and you must recognize why these lifestyle changes are so important to achieve your ultimate goals.
3. Be specific. When you are setting goals you have to be precise, otherwise how are you ever going to know when you have achieved them? If you say that you want to "lose weight" what does that really mean? Are you looking to lose five pounds? Fifty pounds? 100 pounds? Define what success means to you and be exact about how you want your lifestyle and body to change. Remember to set realistic deadlines for yourself, dates by which you will realize your short and long term fitness goals. This deadline could be an upcoming event, vacation, wedding or just a specific time in the future by which you want to look and feel your best.
4. Find a way to hold yourself accountable. Once you know specifically what you want to achieve, you need accountability. What is going to keep you going on those tough days when you don't want to do your workout? Or the moments when you get frustrated, emotional or stressed and want to go back to your old habits of eating junk? To stay on track you need someone or something that is going to keep you in line and refresh your memory as to why your health and fitness are crucial to the quality of your life. This could be a family member, a support group, an online fitness program, a personal trainer or a nutritionist. This person or group has to be supportive of you, when you have lapses they need to encourage you to get focused and back on track rather than condemn you.
5. Find activities that you enjoy. What do you like to do? If you start on a fitness program that you don't enjoy you are far less likely to stick with it. If you sign up for a gym membership take a look at all that the club has to offer and figure out what is best for you. It could be aerobics classes, martial arts, yoga, weight training, cycling, dance classes, swimming, a hiking or jogging group or something completely different. If you think you might find success in a gym environment but feel intimidated, get with a trainer or group who can give you some guidance. Whatever you do, get moving. If you don't feel the gym is the place for you can join a community activity group, join a sport, hire an online trainer, join a weight loss support center or buy some fitness DVD's and exercise in the comfort of your home. With the health crisis being so prevalent there are a myriad of choices and opportunities available to you to start leading a more fit and healthy lifestyle. Find the method that is right for you and stick with it!
This year let there be no excuses. Keep your goals fresh in your mind throughout the year by writing them down, discovering your motivators, being specific and accountable and finding a program that you are going to enjoy and stick with. This year don't just make resolutions, start your own fitness revolution.
Diana Chaloux is an ACE/AFAA/FPI Certified Personal Trainer. She is also the WBFF Figure World Champion, FAME Fitness Model World Champion, WBFF Figure and Fitness Model Pro and owner of Destined 2 Be Fit. Diana provides 12 or 16 Week Online Training and Nutrition programs which you can register for at http://www.wellnessengine.com/dianachaloux.
She also provides one on one personal training in Kansas City. For more information on Diana visit http://www.dianachaloux.com or write to diana@dianachaloux.com
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