Resolutions? We don’t need stinky resolutions!
The New Year has long since come and gone, and I’m willing to bet it has its resolutions. But just because you forgot your resolution long ago doesn’t mean you can’t yet succeed in your fat loss endeavor.
However, I have a big problem with the whole idea of New Year’s Resolutions. I don’t know anyone who has ever met one of their own.’ Have you done one before? I’ve got. Have you fulfilled those resolutions? I haven’t. In the past I have failed miserably at almost all of my resolutions.
My resolutions were the same every year and included something about my fitness, money, personality, etc. Does that ring a bell? Why is that? Why do most Americans tell themselves that they’re going to do “X” this year and that this year is going to be different from the last, only to be back to the way it was in a few weeks (if at all? So)? far).
One reason is that, for the most part, the resolutions are all empty promises. They have no “push” behind them. They are too general. They focus on huge and unreasonable expectations. Most do not take action.
In terms of fat loss resolutions, most people simply say “I want to lose some weight” or “I want to get in better shape.” My favorites are always the people who say “I want to lose 30 pounds in a month” or “I want a body that stops traffic” (in fact, some clients told me both, and they didn’t last). Those resolutions are set to fail. Why? Lots of reasons actually. For one thing, the first two examples are too general. The two seconds is unrealistic. All 4 are doomed to fail.
You should set goals… not resolutions. That’s what I started doing at the beginning of the year and it works much better… In fact, I keep what I promise.
So what makes a good goal? All of your goals should have a few things in common, whether they’re related to your fitness level or not.
1. must be realistic. Wanting to lose 30 pounds in a month is not realistic, nor is it very healthy…unless you are severely overweight or obese or go to your plastic surgeon and ask them to Shop-Vac your gut. If you want to lose 30 pounds, that’s fine. Just make the time frame more realistic. However, don’t confuse being realistic with being easy. Your goals must be lofty. The problem with the example I gave is that the person wanted to lose 30 pounds in a month, not that the person wanted to lose 30 pounds.
two. Specific time. All of your goals should have a time frame attached to them. Better yet, look into the future and choose a date that has some meaning. If you have a vacation coming up in March, make that your final date to lose the 30 pounds. That way you can “keep your eye on the prize”, so to speak. It gives you a little more incentive to achieve your goal(s).
3. They should be broken down into smaller targets.. If you want to lose 30 pounds in 5 months, how are you going to do it? Are you going to give up sodas? Are you going to start eating breakfast every day? Are you going to start exercising 6 days a week following my Fat Loss To Go workouts? Are you going to start eating more fiber-filled vegetables? Break that main goal down into smaller mini-goals that are easily achievable and don’t make your main goal seem so daunting.
There you go. Those are just some of the ways you can set good goals…not resolutions.
