- For example, if you set a goal of losing weight by going on a juice cleanse this week or eating nothing but cabbage leaves for 4 days straight- you are setting yourself up for failure (and probably a great deal of time in the bathroom). BUT if your big picture goal is to lose 20 pounds then set small goals for each week. "I will lose 1 pound this week"- and keep it up! Be specific about what your short term goals are and stick with them day to day. It is so much easier to just think about making healthy choices for your next meal than to think about how you are going to avoid that snack machine for the next 4 months.
Have a game plan of:
1- Don't be intimidated
Yes, this is new, yes this is a change, yes this is outside of your comfort zone. BUT over time this will become your new normal.
Do NOT be intimidated by a gym- it's a building with people- not unlike a Starbucks- get it out of your mind.
Do NOT be intimidated by the weights- start with something small and get comfortable with them. They are not owned by the meat head men. PLEASE get off the cardio machine and USE THEM!!!
Do NOT be intimidated by the people- No one is looking at you or judging you- they are most likely looking at themselves (they are either saying A- "oh god I hope no one is looking at me" or B- "oh look at me I'm so big and strong and fabulous") meat head men as mentioned above
2- How are you going to achieve this goal?
Maybe you are going to join a gym, buy a workout DVD, revamp your portions, incorporate more lean meats and vegetables, etc. Whatever your plan is- know exactly how to execute it. If you are joining a gym for example- how many times a week are you going to go? What exercises are you going to do? If you are going to change your eating habits - what recipes are you going to try? Which foods are lower in fat and sugar should you be eating? The point is- know exactly what you are going to do to achieve your goal.
3- How are you going to measure your success?
Weigh-ins every week? Rely on how your pants fit? How many healthy meals you chose over unhealthy ones?
4- What is realistic for me?
Healthy weight loss that STAYS OFF is slow. It didn't arrive overnight- it took many unhealthy choices to add the pounds so it will also take many healthy choices to see the results that you are looking for. THAT IS NORMAL. Cut yourself a break- you are NOT going to wake up the day after joining a gym looking like Heidi Klum- Nope. But the difference between all the people that join a gym on Jan 1 and the people who are still there the following December is motivation and commitment.
5- Which leads me to my last point- Commitment
New Year's resolutions are notorious for never becoming reality- mostly due to a lack of perseverance to achieve them. If it was easy to make fitness and healthy eating a priority, everyone would do it. The difference between you and everyone else is that you are committed to a lifestyle change- not a short term weight loss. That means making healthy choices 80-90% of the time and adding some sort of exercise to your routine. Everyone has an excuse- I'm busy, I'm tired, I have no time, etc etc- those excuses are what weed out the weak- you are not one of them- you are strong, committed, and you are going to be successful!
Happy New Years to you and your new goals!
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