Keeping Committed

It’s getting to be about that time of year where the New Years Resolutions tend to drop off.  You’ll be able to tell by the decreasing number of people in the gym and increasing in the fast-food line at Wendy’s.  How can you avoid falling off the wagon and keeping committed to your goals, whether they be resolutions or goals you set for yourself down the road?

1) Write your goals down

They always told you in school that writing things down helped you to memorize them – use that to your advantage!  Write your goals down and keep them somewhere that you will see them everyday.  Put them beside your sink so you’ll see them everyday when you wake up and every night before sleep.  Make multiple copies and keep them in key areas!  For example, if your goal is to eat more fruits and vegetables, stick it on your fridge so you’ll see it everytime you open the door to grab a snack.  Keep a note in your car that reminds you of your goal to work out three days a week.

2) Keep yourself inspired!

What made you want to set the goals you have in the first place?  If you want to fit into a pair of pants or look great in a nice dress, keep that piece of clothing hanging where you can see it!  Keep quotes or pictures of people who inspire you around on the wall or in a notebook and look at them throughout the day.  If you’re trying to save up for a new computer, car or living room set, keep pictures of those around and imagine how you’ll feel when you get them!

3) Don’t panic

If you overeat for a few days, skip going to the gym a few sessions or fall off the wagon in some way, don’t panic and don’t give up!  Lifestyle changes can’t be perfect 100% of the time, so don’t demand 100% perfection from yourself!  If you get off track for a little while, simply get back on.  Eating too much for lunch one day doesn’t give you an excuse to say “Well I’ve failed, might as well eat poorly the rest of the week.”  On the other end of the spectrum, don’t eat too little the next day!  You’ll be more likely to fall off again if you’re too hungry.

4) Accountability

Tell everyone you know about your goals and what you’re going to do to reach them!   If you tell your friends that your’e only going to eat out twice a week, when take your lunch break at Ruby Tuesday for the third time that week, they’ll question you which can help keep you on track.  Ask your friends to keep up with you and ask about your exercise routine!  There are also several online ways to keep yourself motivated and accountable such as Fitocracy.com (which I post on frequently!) or SocialWorkout.com – be sure to check them out!

5) Keep the end goal in mind

Keep picturing what you’re going to gain by accomplishing your goals.  Think about how you will feel, how you’ll look or the increase in your quality of life.  If you can remember why you set a goal in the first place, you’ll be able to stay motivated.

Hope that some of these tips help you to keep your Resolutions or any of your other future endeavors!

 

Kat Whitfield

BS, NASM-CPT

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