Coach Zoe It’s easy to make a resolution. It’s even easier to be successful in your New Year’s resolution with these tips!
Why New Year’s resolutions are not successful
The holidays have passed. And you may have fallen off your promise to yourself stay fit during the holidays. Now, it’s the beginning of the new year. And you have heard for the tenth time, “New year, new you!” And although that phrase sounds nice in practice, you have a feeling that the resolution you set this year is going to go similar to the rest of them. Even if you tell yourself that this one will be different. This one will be successful. You ARE going to hit your goals and even surpass because you are sick of quitting and landing where you started.
Well that is a start mama! An attitude change. The biggest reason that New Year’s resolutions are not successful is because they were crummy from the start and made with a poor attitude. I want to lose weight. I want to get stronger. I want to be healthier. I want to eat better. Why? For who? How? And when? They aren’t set from a place of meaning. A lot of times we set resolutions with an attitude of “I want this but if it happens, it happens.” There is a sense of hopefulness but no real motivation. And even if there is motivation at the start, once it gets hard there is nothing holding us to it. And those goals have no substance to them! They’re too generic.
For a goal to be successful, it must meet some criteria.
How to set a good goal?
You want to be as specific as possible! You want to lose weight? Okay, well how much? You want to be healthier? Okay, how do you define healthy? And sometimes by getting more specific we answer other important criteria. Like we must be able to measure our goal and progress. Instead of lose weight, lose __lbs. Instead of workout more, workout __ times a week. Or instead of being healthier, you cut out your unhealthy habits.
Next, we want to put a time frame to our goal or progress. So now you are not going to just lose 15 lbs, but lose 15 lbs by summer.
After setting or at least considering these factors, we can determine if the goal is realistic. Now, I don’t mean something crazy. Of course you are not going to be setting a goal thats completely unattainable. But are you setting yourself up for success? For example, are you trying to lose 30 pounds in 2 months? Because chances are you won’t. A healthy amount of weight to lose per week is 1-2 pounds, generally speaking. That doesn’t quite add up to 30 lbs in 2 months. So while you’re assessing and making your goal, make sure that you are going to stay motivated as you get closer. You don’t want to actually make progress but feel defeated because you came up too short. All because we weren’t realistic enough.
WHY you want to have a successful New Year’s resolution
It’s time to think about your “why.” Why are you making this goal? Is it aesthetic or functional? For you or your family? This is important because you want to make sure that your reason will be enough to keep you strong on the days you want to quit. That it is reason enough to be stay motivated if your progress is slow.
I point out aesthetic vs. functional because aesthetic goals tend to be more shallow. They don’t USUALLY tie to the heart. It’s pretty easy to think, “ehh do I really care if I look a certain way?” so you don’t feel bad about missing your workout. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a goal that is for aesthetics. If losing weight, or toning your arms, or building muscle will make you feel more confident and a happier person then it’s reason enough to have it! But see how I dug deeper to get a functional reason for the aesthetic? That’s what I want you to do. Maybe you want to “be healthier.” So tie it to “so my kids make their own health a priority.”
Or instead of just lose weight so you fit into that one dress, you want to lose weight so you can keep up with your energetic toddler. So take some time to think about why your goal means something to you and what kind of impact it will have on your life. This strategy will help you stay more accountable.
Set yourself up to be successful in your New Year’s resolution
Although all of these criteria are important for long term success, acountability is one of the most crucial. Getting your family, friends, and loved ones involved will keep you honest with yourself. They want to see you be your best and happiest. Don’t be afraid to ask them to hold you to your goals by checking in on you. They will be happy to help you reach your goals. Plus it’s encourageing to report progress to someone that share your excitement! And if you aren’t ready to include others, try my Accountability Chart to stay on track.
Other ways you can set yourself up is by getting everything you need to accomplish your goal. Nix the excuses. Get a gym membership if you know you won’t workout at home. Buy new workout shoes so your feet aren’t sore. Invest in a healthy cookbook so you have recipes available. Make a space at home for workouts that way travel or lack of time doesn’t stand in your way.
Reward your fitness success
Finding little ways to reward your progress will keep you positive and motivated. But sometimes we use the wrong rewards. If eating clean or working out consistently is your goal, don’t make a brownie or a freebie rest day your reward. Try to keep it nonfood or “quitting” related. Some ideas are things that make you feel good but may not relate entirely to fitness. Like a massage, or a date night with hubby, or getting your nails done. You CAN and will be successful this New Year’s resolution if you follow these tips mama. Find balance in your fitness and keep it simple!
