7 tips for fitness resolutions

by Courtney Barber, Slim Secrets Ambassador

As gyms everywhere start filling up with fitness hopefuls, how can you keep your approaching New Year's goal from fizzing out like old champagne? If your only plan is to drop (insert desired number) kilos, you may not have what it takes to succeed past that one month trial membership. Try 7 easy ways to plan ahead and to turn that resolution into your own fitness revolution.

Learn from your past

Before you hop on a treadmill, take a look back at all your previous attempts to get in shape. Why didn't they work and what stood in your way of success? Jot down any past fitness mistakes, obstacles, and possible solutions to ensure that history doesn't repeat itself.

Plan the Date

We set meetings and appointments with co-workers and doctors, so why not set some fitness meetings in your calendar? Set aside time daily that's committed to reaching your goals. Whether it's a workout or time to cut up fruit or veggies for healthy snacks during the week, saving a little bit of time for will help set a routine. Before you know it those daily fitness dates will lead to a healthy long term relationship.

Backing Buddy

They say one is the loneliest number, but it also probably has the hardest time fulfilling New Year's resolutions. Having a little support can help overcome obstacles and keep you on track. A little competition isn't always a bad thing either-especially if you like to win.

Slip Up Plan

Mistakes are inevitable, but that one donut doesn't have to turn into an all-you-can-eat buffet. Create a plan with step by step instructions to prevent one incident from sabotaging your whole routine. Let's say you ate one too many starters at a friend's gathering. If your plan says to wake up early the next day to do yoga/spin/any activity that you enjoy for 30 minutes then forget the guilt and stick to the plan

Bribe/Reward

Health may be our number one priority, but a little something extra for not skipping a workout in three weeks doesn't hurt. It's silly to believe that wanting to be healthy will always overpower mum's homemade chocolate cake, which is why rewards and bribes are key. Set weekly goals along with small rewards to stay on track, but try to avoid too many high-calorie rewards.

Inspire to Perspire

Sticky notes can hold more than reminders to pick up the dry cleaning. Why not write down inspirational messages that you see or hear during the day and make you own motivation collage. Brief notes from your favourite blogs or songs can make all the difference when thoughts of quitting start to take over.

The List to Persist

When schedules get hectic and circumstances arise, there is only one way to stick things out - The List to Persist. Buddies may run out of solutions and your motivational sticky notes may grow old, which is why you need the list of true reasons why you want to reach your goal. We all carry the list inside. It holds all our little secrets of moments that crushed us, like overhearing a comment about how we looked or receiving bad news from a doctor. They may be painful, but writing those moments and thoughts down can create a list that overcomes any obstacles that may arise.

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DIANNE

Had a total knee replacement 2 months ago  have put on 1 stone need to  do something fast but can't do lots of exercise just yet really annoying back at work  full time  start at 5.15am  finish at 2 my brakes are 7.30 - 9.30 - 11 lunch very hard to get motivated at 2pm to do anything  also by that time my knee is swollen bit. Not much pain in knee mainly muscles .if you have any suggestion to help out I would be very grateful  THANK YOU  Di

30 Dec, 2012 08:34:33 AM