Did you make a New Year’s Resolution
this year to improve an element of your fitness or wellness? So did I.
In fact I only set one New Year’s Resolution this year and it has to do
with my health. While many
people use the New Year as a landmark time to get healthier or lose weight, it is sometimes difficult to maintain that ambition.
Chances are, at some time in
your life, you’ve made a fitness resolution
and then broken it. This year, you can stop the cycle of promising to make
change and then not following through.
Here are 8 tips to help you stay focused
in your fitness goals.
1. Set
a realistic and measurable goal.
Being realistic
means knowing yourself. How much time do
you have to put towards reaching your goal?
Keep in mind that overall wellness should become a lifestyle. The surest way to fall short of your goal is
to make your goal unattainable. Consider
things like what activities you like and what’s convenient for you.
2.
Accountability and Support
Surround yourself with people and situations
that support and encourage you and give you motivation to complete your goals.
Form a support system that will not only challenge you, but also support you in
sticking to your specific goals. Don’t
be afraid to hire a professional coach or trainer if need be to help you
succeed with your goals. Someone who can
challenge, encourage, and hold you accountable in a way that empowers you to
make your dreams a reality.
3.
Plan Ahead
You may need to set daily, weekly, monthly and even
yearly goals that provide a roadmap from which to start. Be realistic about what
you can tackle at once, if you try to do too much, you may be setting yourself
up for failure and quitting after one slip.
Start small, see positive results, be encouraged, and see that
motivation and energy inspire you into even greater accomplishments. Decide ahead of time how you will deal with temptations to
skip exercise class or have a piece of cake.
4.
Set Deadlines
Lack of deadlines leaves too much room for
avoidance and procrastination, which can lead to the disappointment of unmet
goals. Set incremental steps towards the
accomplishment of your goal and then establish realistic deadlines to meet
those steps.
5.
Track Your
Progress
Keep track of each small success.
Short-term goals are easier to keep, and each small accomplishment will help keep you motivated. Instead
of focusing on the big goal, focus on one of the smaller incremental steps
towards the big goal and keep track of your progress.
6.
Listen to your thoughts
Pay attention to what you think about! Don’t let stinking thinking take you out of
the race. Negativity and nagging
self-doubt robs you of energy and steals your dreams. Are you thinking positively and reminding
yourself about why your goal is important and that you can succeed? Say to yourself: "Today, I am one step closer, I have
made some progress".
7.
Remain Flexible
It is beneficial to re-evaluate from time to
time to make sure you are going in the direction that exactly reflects what you
want to do. Allow changes along the way
and keep in mind that if something is not working as planned you can
adjust. Take a step back, look
realistically at the challenge or change, adjust and move forward.
8.
Rewards for Progress
You did it! You made progress! Celebrate your successes, big and small, by
treating yourself to something you enjoy that doesn’t contradict your goal. Rewards can be anything you choose
that would serve to motivate and reward you to keep going and stay strong. – Take a look at your incremental steps
toward your big goal, see what you've accomplished, and celebrate!
I hope this year you make your
health a priority and that you set goals you are motivated and inspired to
attain. Healthy living is a lifestyle
that begins with healthy choices. I wish
you luck in your goal attainment as you reach towards improved health and
fitness.
For more trainer tips or an
appointment call Karen at the Palm Desert Aquatic Center 760-565-7467
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