Taken from my examiner page:
It's that time of year again...
The time when fitness facilities across the country will be packed with new members trying to begin working towards their fitness resolutions. It happens every year. From personal experience, I can tell you the local YMCA will receive a flood of new members in the next few weeks. People will head to the facility with optimism, drive, and dedication. Then, come early February, the facility will again become less crowded, and only the regulars will be remain.
In our current society, fitness resolutions seem to be the first thing that we give up on. In our current society, fitness resolutions should be the LAST thing we give up on. With a more sedentary lifestyle quickly becoming the norm, and with sedentary related disease cases on the rise, here are some give you some quick tips to help you achieve your fitness resolutions!
1. Make your resolutions/goals SMART!
S=Specific: Do not just say, "I want to lose weight." Be specific with your goal. Change it to something like, "I want to lose eight pounds in three months."
M=Measurable: Make sure your goals can be measured in some form. Saying, "I want to become stronger at the bench press," lacks both specificity and a measurable aspect. Make the goal something concrete that you can track. For example, "I want to increase my bench press from 175 lb. to 195 lb. this year," is something more specific and measurable.
A=Attainable: Devise a plan to make sure your goal can be met. For example, if you want to become a better runner, you have to run. Make sure you schedule times to get your run in. Have a plan of how many miles a week you would like to aim for. The key to achieving any goal is having a plan of action.
R=Realistic: Do not set yourself up for failure by making goals too hard to achieve. Yes, you want a goal to be something you have to work towards, but if it is unrealistic your best efforts will fail. If you meet the first goal, then free to set another goal! Weight loss goals are commonly unrealistic. To healthily lose weight, you should aim for 1-2 lb. of weight loss a week. Make sure you have the correct plan in place and have a realistic goal for the year.
T=Time: Always set a timeframe to your goal. If you don't put a timeframe to complete your goal, it will often sift its way to the back-burner. A timeframe creates a sense of urgency and will help you stay on track!
2. Post your resolutions where you can see them. By writing your resolutions down and posting them in places where you will see them often, you will have a constant reminder of a your goals. Also, writing the resolutions down makes them more concrete. It is something you can see, not just thoughts. It is always satisfying to cross off one of your big goals for the year!
3. Exercise with a partner. When working out alone, people sometimes fail to put as much effort in to the workout compared to when a partner is there. Also, having a partner makes you feel more responsible for exercising. You don't want to let your partner down by skipping workouts.
4. Don't get stuck doing one thing for exercise. Exercise and fitness can come in many forms. Don't just stick to the weights or the track. Explore and try new classes and sports. This will challenge your body in different ways and result in greater fitness. Also, you will be less likely to get bored with your exercise program.
5. Lastly, don't be afraid to ask for help. If you are unsure of what to do or how to get started, talk to a fitness professional, doctor, nutritionist, or someone you think can help get you on the right track to meeting your goals!
Go into 2012 with a new approach and knock those resolutions out of the park! Your body, mind, and life will thank you.
