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