Your Guide To Finally Achieving Your New Year’s Resolution

Welcome to 2012! Did you make some New Year’s resolutions? Did any of those resolutions have to do with getting in shape or losing weight? Did you make the same ones last year? If you are ready to finally get it right and make this the last year you have to make a resolution to get in shape, here are a few tips that will help make that happen.

First, raise your standards. The inspiration for this came from a lesson from Tony Robbins. Almost everyone is currently in the shape their standards allow them to be in. There are cases, due to medical issues, where people don’t have control over their weight or fitness level.  Most of us, however, are in exactly the condition we allow ourselves to be in. Our weight, size, and fitness levels are a result of our behavior: activity (or lack thereof) and food choices.

When you raise your standards, the first thing that happens is that it turns your “shoulds” into “musts”. Instead of thinking “I should exercise today,” you think “I MUST exercise today.” Instead of thinking “I should get the baked fish instead of the fettuccine Alfredo,” you think “I MUST make a healthier eating choice.” If you start to think of yourself as a healthy, fit person and start expecting yourself to act like one too, your actions will reflect that.

Stop accepting half-hearted efforts at exercise and “kind of” eating better. You are capable of so much more. Raise your standards and enjoy the results.

Secondly, focus on the process. I talk all the time about the importance of setting goals.  A goal needs to be measurable and it needs to have a deadline. There are two types of goals that we focus on: outcome goals and process goals. An example of an outcome goal is “I will lose 30 pounds or more by June 1, 2012.” While it’s very important to know the ultimate outcome you would like to achieve, I encourage you to focus on the process goals for a while. A process goal is based on the actions that will help you achieve your outcome goal.  These goals must also be measurable and have deadlines. If you know that exercising is going to be a key part of reaching an outcome goal, a good example of a process goal would be “I will exercise for at least 20 minutes 15 times or more each month.” You can measure how many times you exercise, and you can measure a month. More good examples of process goals would be “I will eat at least one piece of fruit every day” and “I will make sure I have protein with at least two meals per day.” It’s important for you to use “at least” and “or more” because you want to give yourself the option of over-achieving.

If you spend the next year focusing on meeting your process goals, the outcome goals will take care of themselves. I hope these tips will help you make 2012 your healthiest and best year ever!

Trying to lose weight can be an extremely frustrating endeavor.  For many people, it has become, at least in their mind, an “impossible battle”.  They lose 5 pounds, then gain 6. Lose 15 pounds, then gain 12 of it back.  They yo-yo back and forth.

Challenges are everywhere.  People at work bring in donuts, cookies and other snacks.  We are constantly in a hurry, so we grab whatever is quick and convenient to eat or hit the nearest fast food drive-through.

We plan on exercising, but things come up.  Family members or friends need us.  Something at work needs to be taken care of.

So how can you win this battle?  What will give you the best possible chance of success?

Create a team to help you succeed!

As humans, we are much stronger in a group focused on a common goal.  Surround yourself with people who are working towards a similar goal as you are and people with the knowledge and experience to point you on the right path.

Start a group with co-workers, friends or family members and meet a couple of times each week to do something active and discuss your progress and goals.  Keep each other accountable.  Share your challenges and your victories.

If you need to, check out our programs at Custom Fit.  We provide a nutritional counselor, a private fitness coach, and a fantastic team of fitness professionals to support you.

If you have questions about how to structure a fitness or weight loss program, or challenges you are having, Custom Fit’s Lead Trainer Eric Patterson and I will be hosting a Q&A Session at Cafe 111 Wed. May 5th at 6pm.  Seating is limited so RSVP by calling 812.437.2378 or via email to tmaslan@cfpt.us

Remember, don’t try to fight this battle all alone!  There is strength in numbers! Give yourself the best chance for long-term fitness and weight loss success!

Last week on the monthly Fit With 14 segment I do with Beth Sweeney on 14 WFIE here in Evansville, we discussed some keys to being successful with your fitness and weight loss resolutions.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THAT SEGMENT

You can watch the segment by clicking on the link below.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH FIT WITH 14 AND LEARN

7 STEPS TO AVOID THE HOLIDAY WEIGHT GAIN!!

If you need help with your fitness program, please contact me at 812.437.2378

With our help you can actually get in BETTER shape over the holiday season and start the new year off right!