Make a different New Year’s Resolution

By

Vic Vogel

This coming New Year many people will make a New Year’s resolution to lose weight.  Over ninety-percent (90%) will fail to keep that resolution, or regain the weight before the end of the year.  Why not do something different this year.  Make a resolution to GET FIT!  Here is how.

• Do not think of your New Year’s resolution as a short-term task.  Think of it as a year-long adventure that will leave you with less fat, more muscle, more endurance, and better flexibility.  After all, it is a “NEW YEAR’S” resolution not a couple of month’s resolution.
• Toast to your commitment to “get fit” on the midnight hour.
• Starting on January 1, take the time to build your strategy for fitness™.
• Establish a clear vision of what you want to look like by the end of the year.  Define data based measurements, e.g. 38 down to 32 waist, loss of 40lbs, loss of 20 body inches, lean muscle appearance.  If possible, find a picture that replicates your vision, and post it on your bathroom mirror for motivation.
• Take the time to complete a fitness assessment to determine your current state, e.g. weight, body fat percent, body circumference, strength level, balance, flexibility.  You can find a free sample fitness and measurement tool at http://www.strategyforfitness.com/fitness-advice.html in excel format for easy tracking.  Take a current picture of yourself to compare with over time.
• Once you see the gap between your current state and your vision, you can create small incremental steps to reach your desired vision.  Set realistic time parameters based on the data.  Personal trainers, or gyms, sometimes do this free.  You have the year to reach your goal.
• Make a commitment to educate yourself about your body, nutrition, and exercise as you execute your strategy.  Knowledge is power.  The more you know the more successful your will be, and the greater your chances of sustaining your fitness.
• Understand 80 percent of fitness is nutrition.  Clearly define nutritional goals and activities that will help you reach your goals.  Select foods that you will actually eat and meet your calorie goals.  Do not create a diet.  Manage your nutrition.
• Start your exercise regimen based on your fitness level (determined from fitness test).  Do not be in a hurry.  Increase muscle and strength gradually.  Forget, “no pain, no gain”.  Improve safely, and you will sustain your results.
• Monitor yourself on a regular basis.  A great free internet-monitoring tool is http://www.fiday.com .
• Celebrate small incremental successes.  You will fail along the way.  We all do.  Do not let failure sidetrack your efforts.  Do not compensate for a failed meal, or lost exercise day.  Start on your next routine, and keep going.  A couple of failures will not keep you from reaching your goal.
• Hide your weight scale.  More people quit over weight scales than any other reason.  Rely on body fat percent, how your clothes feel, compliments from others, etc.
• Finally, do not start any exercise or nutrition program without first checking with your doctor first.

You can find more information on building a fitness strategy through Building A Strategy For Fitness: A Model To Reach And Sustain Total Fitness & Health by Vic Vogel Available at www.strategyforfitness.com and Amazon.com.