How to achieve that new year's resolution!

2013 is coming to end and the beginning of 2014 is upon us! This is the time when everyone is coming up with their new year's resolutions and anticipating for a change that they maybe did or didn't accomplish this past year.  Some of the most anticipated new year's resolutions are centered around health and fitness-the gym will be packed the first few weeks of the year as everyone begins their journeys!  But how often are these resolutions fulfilled?  I remember at the beginning of my second semester of college, the cardio gym was packed up until mid-February and then it was dead. I'm sure this is seen across all gyms-some of you may know what I'm talking about. I've never made a new year's resolution before, but this year I am. My resolutions is to drink more water! Seems simple, but I have a serious problem with not drinking enough water throughout the day-I've gone a whole day with no water...not good.  Well, I have a few tips on how to achieve these goals and resolutions, which these tips can be used and applied to other situations, too.  I have some of my own thoughts, as well as YouTube video from Cassey Ho's channel, blogilates, where she also talks about new year's resolutions.  Her video is what inspired me to write this one, so...here it goes.

1. Make small goals.  Make small attainable and achievable goals, not something that is unreasonable. Maybe you have an overall larger goal, but to get there take baby steps. Maybe its giving yourself a weekly or monthly goal instead. Over time, all of these small goals will add up into one large goal.  Say you want to lose weight. Go with a reasonable goal of losing maybe a pound a week until you have reached your goal-that is attainable. Or maybe you want healthier eating habits. Start out easy by swapping one bad food item for one good food item. For example, choose fruit instead of chips or crackers. Trick yourself into eating more fruit by keeping it where you can see it.

2. Stay positive.  Keep your head up and keep the negative thoughts away. Not to sound mean, but as long as you are negative about yourself, you wont achieve your goals or change. Maybe for a short while, but you will slip and fall back into your old habits. No matter how tough it gets, because change is hard and it will be tough at times, you need to remind yourself that you're strong and can do this. If you believe in yourself, you will achieve your goals. To completely fulfill your fitness and health related goals, you need to do 3 things: change your diet, exercise more, and change your behavior.

3. Remember you're human. You will make mistakes. You will have bad days. You will slip back from time to time. But its not the end of the world. You're human. Life gets in the way sometimes. If you get off track for awhile because of life, know that you can easily start where you left off! All you need to do is stay positive ( #2 above) and possibly reevaluate your goals (maybe).

These 3 things have always been my own thoughts on achieving any goal or resolution. These are what helped me through my fitness journey and has gotten me to where I am today.  I think Cassey Ho, from blogilates, also talks about achieving a resolution in a really good way! So you should check out her video (below), if you're interested.

 

 

I hope everyone had a great holiday spending time with loved ones and eating delicious foods! And I hope everyone has a great end of 2013 and an amazing start to 2014!

 

Happy New Year!