| The New Year is quickly creeping up on us. Do | | | | specifics on how they will achieve it. Write |
| you have a New Year's Resolution? Well, if | | | | your own personal plan and you'll be more |
| you're like most Americans (88 percent in | | | | likely to succeed as well. |
| 2001 according to a General Nutrition Centers | | | | |
| poll), you have at least one resolution. And, | | | | - Break it down and make it less |
| if you are like the majority of these | | | | intimidating. Rather than one BIG end goal, |
| promise-makers, your resolution is probably | | | | dissect it into smaller pieces. Set several |
| related to health and fitness. In 2001 | | | | smaller goals to achieve throughout the year |
| (according to GNC), 55 percent promised to | | | | that will help you to reach the ultimate |
| eat healthier, 50 percent resolved to | | | | goal. Then even if you aren't able to reach |
| exercise more, and 38 percent wanted to lose | | | | your final goal, you will have many smaller, |
| weight. | | | | but still significant, achievements along the |
| | | | way. For example, if your goal is to complete |
| While resolutions are well-intentioned, | | | | a 10K race, your smaller goals could be |
| unfortunately most people fail at keeping | | | | running a 5K in less than 30 minutes, adding |
| them. With all the hype surrounding these | | | | upper and lower body strength training to |
| promises, it's easy to get caught up in them | | | | increase your muscular endurance, and running |
| without really taking them seriously. | | | | 2 miles with a personal best completion time. |
| | | | |
| We live in a throw-away society and even our | | | | - Ask friends and family members to help you |
| resolutions, I'm afraid, are not immune. | | | | so you have someone to be accountable to. |
| However, especially for promises that include | | | | Just be sure to set limits so that this |
| improving our health it's in our best | | | | doesn't backfire and become more irritating |
| interest to not take them lightly. | | | | than helpful. For example, if you resolve to |
| | | | be more positive ask them to gently remind |
| So, what's the secret to successful | | | | you when you start talking negatively. |
| resolutions? While you can't wave a magic | | | | |
| wand and make your resolution come true, | | | | - Reward yourself with each milestone. If |
| there are some easy steps to take to make it | | | | you've stuck with your resolution for 2 |
| easier to fulfill your promise to yourself. | | | | months, treat yourself to something special. |
| | | | But, be careful of your reward type. If |
| - Choose an obtainable goal. Resolving to | | | | you've lost 5 pounds, don't give yourself a |
| look like a super model is not realistic for | | | | piece of cake as an award. Instead, treat |
| the majority of us, but promising to include | | | | yourself to a something non-food related, |
| daily physical activity in our lives is very | | | | like a professional massage. |
| possible. | | | | |
| | | | - Don't go it alone! Get professional |
| - Avoid choosing a resolution that you've | | | | assistance. Everyone needs help and sometimes |
| been unsuccessful at achieving year after | | | | a friend just isn't enough. Sometimes you |
| year. This will only set you up for failure, | | | | need the help of a trained professional. |
| frustration and disappointment. If you are | | | | Don't feel that seeking help is a way of |
| still tempted to make a promise that you've | | | | copping out. Especially when it comes to |
| made before, then try altering it. For | | | | fitness, research studies have shown that |
| example, instead of stating that you are | | | | assistance from a fitness professional |
| going to lose 30 pounds, try promising to eat | | | | greatly improves peoples success rate. |
| healthier and increase your weekly exercise. | | | | |
| | | | - Limit your number of promises. You'll |
| - Create a game plan. At the beginning of | | | | spread yourself too thin trying to make |
| January, write a comprehensive plan. All | | | | multiple changes in your life. This will just |
| successful businesses start with a business | | | | lead to failure of all of the resolutions. |
| plan that describes their mission and | | | | |