NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION: The STRUGGLE

As I write this most of us just experienced blizzard Jonas of 2016. Now we are trying to dig ourselves out and hopefully no one over did it and got injured. It's the end of January and I was wondering how everyone is doing with their New Year's resolutions. Are you still going strong, or have you fallen off the wagon already?

I admit, I don't do resolutions, I do goals for the year. The dictionary defines resolution as a firm decision to do or not do something. The definition of goal is an observable and measurable end result having one or more objectives to be achieved. Do you see how the two differ and why resolutions don't always get us what we want. The top New Year's resolution is to lose weight.

That is wonderful, but how are you going to do that? When it is a resolution, many people fail after two weeks doing the all or nothing approach. When it is a goal, people see the bigger picture and break it down into smaller goals that can be accomplished. For example, is stress adding to your weight gain, or eating on the go several times a week, or not workout out? Think about the big goal and write down what steps need to be accomplished to successfully reach your goal.

Maybe it is getting a sitter for your children so you have time for yourself. Or start to meal prep one to two meals a week. Maybe start walking at lunch or sometime during the day so you are moving more. Remember, the goal is for you, not for anyone else. Set your goal and keep improving on it!

One of my goals is to run 2016 miles in 2016. That means running 5.5 miles everyday! I started off great, but then was getting tired. Then I started to fall behind on the miles. To date I should be at 143 miles, I'm at 66.5 miles. I had to break it into monthly goals so I wasn't so overwhelmed. Then I added a smaller goal to do a 50 mile race. That smaller goal will help me accomplish my bigger goal and keep me on track.

So forget resolutions, what are your goals for the year? I always ask my clients what their goal is for themselves, not what others want for them. So far my clients are on track with their individual goals. One is gaining muscle and getting stronger in everyday activities. Another one is loosing a pound a week with the individual workout plan I give them. Another one started with the 30/30/30 goal and lost 8 pounds in thirty days by walking at lunch! Everyone starts somewhere and will only grow stronger both mentally and physically with determination and goals! Make this year 2016 about you and accomplish your goals!