Healthy Fit: Making New Years resolutions realistic
In January, finding a free work out
spot or machine in the gym is as hard
as finding a parking spot during a
Boxing Day sale.
What you will find in the gym at this time of year are individuals with weight loss resolutions, some more realistic than others.
Statistics on New Years resolutions indicate that 75 per cent of people in North America actually follow through with their weight loss resolutions for only two weeks and 46 per cent after six months.
The significant difference in these percentages occurs between those that make long-term realistic goals and those that make unrealistic goals.
Making a measurable and achievable weight loss resolutions requires advance strategic planning, way before the New Year mark hits. Most people wait until the countdown to decide what their resolution(s) will be. But as their workouts begin, they have no clue how to keep going or maintain their training.
So if you feel that you are part of the 75 per cent who wanted to make a change but are having difficulties, it's never too late to formulate a new fitness plan. The ingredients that you'll need to form long-lasting workout habits are:
1. Setting long term goals.
The initial stage in creating a fitness plan is to jot down how you would like to better yourself. When you know exactly what you would like to improve on or start doing, your long-term goals will unfold with a more realistic outlook. In this stage, ask yourself questions such as, "Where or how would I like to see myself in a year or two from now?"
2. Setting short-term goals.
The short-term goals begin with a focus on what can you do now to get to the results you're aiming for. These are very specific goals like starting to eat dinner at 6 p.m. instead of 9 p.m.
3. List the benefits.
This stage includes the rewards you would like to achieve after the long-term goals are met. It could simply be feeling better about your body or fitting into all the jeans you wore years before.
4. Formulate an action plan.
You will need to construct an action plan that outlines the procedures you are going to execute, in order to reach those short- and longterm goals. At this point, you should be able to write down specifically what methods and tools you'll need to successfully reach your goals. For example, join a gym and attend five days a week.
Use these guidelines if you are really serious about making a difference in your health and fitness lifestyle this year. Take the time to think about why you want to make the transformation and weigh out the chances of reaching your goals. If they seem too extreme then you're being unrealistic. Plan while keeping your physical capabilities in mind, after all, you can only reach the goals you actually see yourself achieving.
Nevertheless, the New Year is great for one thing, it helps us look back into our lives and evaluate areas of strength and weaknesses and work toward better outcomes. Good luck!
What you will find in the gym at this time of year are individuals with weight loss resolutions, some more realistic than others.
Statistics on New Years resolutions indicate that 75 per cent of people in North America actually follow through with their weight loss resolutions for only two weeks and 46 per cent after six months.
The significant difference in these percentages occurs between those that make long-term realistic goals and those that make unrealistic goals.
Making a measurable and achievable weight loss resolutions requires advance strategic planning, way before the New Year mark hits. Most people wait until the countdown to decide what their resolution(s) will be. But as their workouts begin, they have no clue how to keep going or maintain their training.
So if you feel that you are part of the 75 per cent who wanted to make a change but are having difficulties, it's never too late to formulate a new fitness plan. The ingredients that you'll need to form long-lasting workout habits are:
1. Setting long term goals.
The initial stage in creating a fitness plan is to jot down how you would like to better yourself. When you know exactly what you would like to improve on or start doing, your long-term goals will unfold with a more realistic outlook. In this stage, ask yourself questions such as, "Where or how would I like to see myself in a year or two from now?"
2. Setting short-term goals.
The short-term goals begin with a focus on what can you do now to get to the results you're aiming for. These are very specific goals like starting to eat dinner at 6 p.m. instead of 9 p.m.
3. List the benefits.
This stage includes the rewards you would like to achieve after the long-term goals are met. It could simply be feeling better about your body or fitting into all the jeans you wore years before.
4. Formulate an action plan.
You will need to construct an action plan that outlines the procedures you are going to execute, in order to reach those short- and longterm goals. At this point, you should be able to write down specifically what methods and tools you'll need to successfully reach your goals. For example, join a gym and attend five days a week.
Use these guidelines if you are really serious about making a difference in your health and fitness lifestyle this year. Take the time to think about why you want to make the transformation and weigh out the chances of reaching your goals. If they seem too extreme then you're being unrealistic. Plan while keeping your physical capabilities in mind, after all, you can only reach the goals you actually see yourself achieving.
Nevertheless, the New Year is great for one thing, it helps us look back into our lives and evaluate areas of strength and weaknesses and work toward better outcomes. Good luck!
